Cruise America's Posts - The Cruise America RV Community2017-08-18T03:08:40ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmericahttp://api.ning.com/files/JN-*-k43jSWaTTTEiWjH-B7CPZ0rL2B3ylOjExa*BzuApVoZAAAuJbdzubiVDhdjAv0vxJxItW-MzZRRc1M-RZ1E6cRGaNzT/IMG_0747.jpg?width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=1lor0rzaed7h4&xn_auth=noWhere Will You Be for the Big Show?tag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2017-08-16:2150408:BlogPost:1021062017-08-16T17:00:00.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p><img alt="Great American Eclipse" src="http://www.cruiseamerica.com/images/newsletter/081817/blogimages/topimage.jpg"></img></p>
<p>There’s a big show coming to town, and you’d better make plans now, as there’s not much time before the curtain goes up! The good news is that the entire population of the United States will be able to see the opening act. The bad news is that unless you select the right seat, you won’t be able to see the show in its entirety. This hasn’t happened here in the U.S. since 1918, and won’t happen again until 2024! It’s a total solar eclipse, and it’s billed to be a spectacular…</p>
<p><img src="http://www.cruiseamerica.com/images/newsletter/081817/blogimages/topimage.jpg" alt="Great American Eclipse"/></p>
<p>There’s a big show coming to town, and you’d better make plans now, as there’s not much time before the curtain goes up! The good news is that the entire population of the United States will be able to see the opening act. The bad news is that unless you select the right seat, you won’t be able to see the show in its entirety. This hasn’t happened here in the U.S. since 1918, and won’t happen again until 2024! It’s a total solar eclipse, and it’s billed to be a spectacular event which very few people have witnessed before. On Monday, August 21, 2017, at 10:15 AM (Pacific Daylight Time), the shadow of the moon will touch down in Lincoln City, Oregon, making the landfall of what is being referred to as The Great American Eclipse, crossing over fourteen of our nation’s states. It will be traveling at 1,600 miles per hour, and will race in a southeasterly direction for approximately 2,500 miles. It will reach the South Carolina coast at 2:46 PM local time and then continue out into the Atlantic Ocean after two minutes. The amount of time that the sun will be blocked will vary, depending on where you are during the event. The duration will be the longest just south of St. Louis, right in the center of the path of totality. In that spot, the darkness will last for two minutes and forty seconds. <br/> <img src="http://www.cruiseamerica.com/images/newsletter/081817/blogimages/eclipsepath.jpg" alt="Eclipse Path"/><br/>
Most people will see it as a partial eclipse. Those lucky enough to be in the 70-mile-wide shadowed swath will see the phenomenon in its entirety. There are approximately 12.2 million people that live within the ͞path of totality,͟ and millions more are expected to make their way into the path before the main event. From Oregon to South Carolina, hotel bookings have skyrocketed. Some hotels are charging as much as $1000 per night! Because of the number of people that will flood into the areas within the path of totality, most of the RV parks are filling up to capacity. That, however, is not an issue for our Cruise America customers. Each of our class C motorhomes is self-sufficient, and can be just as comfortable while dry camping (boondocking) as it can be while in a designated camping park. NOTE: It’s imperative that you remember the importance of viewing the eclipse safely. Look online for viewing glasses. Do not attempt to look at this event without protecting your eyes! Once the sun is blocked out, you have a minute or more to remove the glasses, then put them back on when the sun starts manifesting itself again. A solar eclipse occurs when the sun’s rays are prevented from reaching the Earth because of the moon passing directly in front of it, turning daylight into twilight, dropping temperatures and confusing the wildlife. It needs to be the "perfect storm," however, because the moon must be just far enough from the Earth to be the same size as the sun (from our vantage point). In reality, the sun is four times wider than the moon. In an annular eclipse (when the moon appears smaller than the sun) the sun is not completely blocked out, so we see what appears to be a "ring of fire" around the moon. This is not the kind of eclipse one can see with their bare eyes—ever. However, when a total solar eclipse reaches the point of totality, one can look directly at it without any protective eyewear. But remember, before and after the total blockage, your eyes MUST be protected.<br/>
<img src="http://www.cruiseamerica.com/images/newsletter/081817/blogimages/eclipsegeometry.jpg" alt="Eclipse Geometry"/><br/>
Those who are not in the path of totality will still get to experience a partial eclipse, but the sun will still be bright. It will just appear to have a bite taken out of it. Depending on where you are, you may never even notice that it’s happening. Those of us at Cruise America strongly encourage you to view this spectacular show, sponsored by Mother Nature. And, there’s no better way to see it than while traveling in one of our recreational vehicles. They are self-sustaining, so you needn’t get a hotel. You don’t even need an RV park! However, if you happen to miss the show, don’t sweat it ... there will be an encore performance in April of 2024. So, make your RV reservations now, and enjoy the show!</p>Choose Your Eclipse-Watching Spot!tag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2017-07-31:2150408:BlogPost:1016092017-07-31T16:22:14.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>It’s just a matter of days before the Great American Total Solar Eclipse will manifest itself as it makes its way across the nation—from coast to coast. On August 21, 2017, America will witness something that hasn’t been seen in over 100 years; a total eclipse of the sun that will travel the width of the United States, and will be visible from the Pacific to the Atlantic oceans.</p>
<p>The areas in the country where viewers will witness the totality of the event all fall within a…</p>
<p>It’s just a matter of days before the Great American Total Solar Eclipse will manifest itself as it makes its way across the nation—from coast to coast. On August 21, 2017, America will witness something that hasn’t been seen in over 100 years; a total eclipse of the sun that will travel the width of the United States, and will be visible from the Pacific to the Atlantic oceans.</p>
<p>The areas in the country where viewers will witness the totality of the event all fall within a 70-mile-wide swath that goes from Oregon to South Carolina. Within this “Path of Totality” are 21 U.S. national parks or historical monuments and scenic trails, which would be amazing spots from which to view this once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.</p>
<p>NOTE: This would be a good spot to note the importance of viewing the eclipse safely. While some of our national parks are distributing special viewing glasses on eclipse day, you should still be sure to search online and get your own glasses to assure that you’re not left without a safe way to view it. Do not attempt to look at this event without proper viewing methods!</p>
<p>Because of the numbers of people that will flood into the areas that lie within the path of totality, most of the RV parks may already be filled to capacity. That, however, is not an issue for our Cruise America customers. Each of our class C motorhomes is self-sufficient, and can be just as comfortable while dry camping (boondocking) as it can be while in a designated camping park.</p>
<p>Here is a list of National Parks, Monuments and Trails that fall within the path of totality:</p>
<p>John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (Kimberly, Oregon)</p>
<p>The National Park Service anticipates very large crowds in this park, as Eastern Oregon is supposed to be one of the best eclipse-viewing areas. That’s because it falls directly beneath the eclipse’s path of totality. Partial phases of the event will begin just after 9:00 AM local time, with the totality phase beginning at approximately 10:20 AM. The totality phase will last for about 100 – 120 seconds, depending where in the park you are stationed. The park is open to the public on the day of the eclipse, but officials strongly advise getting there early, as the spectators will be numerous.</p>
<p>Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (Arco, Idaho)</p>
<p>This park is made up of lava fields, and it lies just on the outskirts of the path of totality. On the day of the eclipse, the park will offer educational opportunities for all. There will be lessons on how to safely view the eclipse, as well as presentations featuring the details of this momentous occasion. The partial eclipse should get underway at 10:13 AM, and the eclipse should reach totality by 11:31 AM, and the viewers will get to bask in this darkness for 99 seconds.</p>
<p>Grand Teton National Park (Moose, Wyoming)</p>
<p>The National Park Service is gearing up for what is expected to be the busiest day in this park’s history. It’s located directly in the middle of the path of totality. Here, viewers will experience up to 160 seconds of darkness! Partial phases of the eclipse will begin at 10:17 AM local time. It should reach totality by 11:35 AM.</p>
<p>Fort Laramie National Historic Site (Fort Laramie, Wyoming)</p>
<p>This former military post was once the largest of its kind on the Northern Plains. Viewers watching from this area will see about 134 seconds of totality, which should start at about 11:46 AM.</p>
<p>Agate Fossil Beds National Monument (Sioux County, Nebraska)</p>
<p>There will be plenty of daytime and nighttime activities and astronomy programs at this monument on the day of the eclipse. This area is well-known for the grass covered plains containing large numbers of well-preserved Miocene fossils that date back 20 million years. There will be a partial eclipse starting at 10:25 AM local time, and totality will take over for about 143 seconds.</p>
<p>Scotts Bluff National Monument (Gering, Nebraska)</p>
<p>This landmark is filled with history, featuring the Oregon Trail and the Mormon Trail. This site will hold a special night-sky viewing event from the top of the bluff on August 19, along with several other solar-themed activities the following day. Beginning at 11:48 AM, viewers will be able to see the totality of the eclipse for over 102 seconds.</p>
<p>Homestead National Monument of America (Gage County, Nebraska)</p>
<p>This park is planning events for the whole weekend (August 19-21) in order to celebrate this momentous occasion. Watchers will experience 154 seconds of darkness. Partial phases of the eclipse will begin at 11:37 AM, while the totality phase will begin at 1:02 PM.</p>
<p>Harry S. Truman National Historic Site (Independence, Missouri)</p>
<p>This national historic site contains more than 50,000 artifacts that pertain to the personal life of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the United States. In addition, it is located right in the path of the eclipse, with partial phases starting at 11:41 AM and totality beginning at 1:08 PM, which will last for 70 seconds.</p>
<p>Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (St. Joseph, Missouri)</p>
<p>This national historic trail commemorates the famous expedition by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark that took place from 1804 to 1806. Only some of the areas on the 3,700-mile long trail fall within the path of totality. St. Joseph, in fact, is very close to the centerline of the eclipse. These viewers will be treated to 158 seconds of totality, and it begins at 1:06 PM.</p>
<p>Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site (St. Louis, Missouri)</p>
<p>This historic plantation sits on 9.65 acres in St. Louis. The site honors Ulysses S. Grant, who was a general in the Civil War, as well as the 18th president of the United States. This site falls in the path of totality, offering viewers in this area the chance to see the partial phases starting at 11:49 AM, and the totality phase starting at 1:17 PM local time.</p>
<p>Fort Donelson National Battlefield (Dover, Tennessee)</p>
<p>There are good viewing locations from the main lands of the park, as well as from the Dover Hotel (Surrender House), which overlooks the Cumberland River. Viewers at this location will be treated to 45 seconds of totality, which starts at 1:25 PM local time.</p>
<p>Stones River National Battlefield (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)</p>
<p>This 570-acre national battlefield falls right on the edge of the path of totality. This means that viewers here will only experience 55 seconds of totality, which begins at 1:29 PM local time. Park officials have announced that the first 1,500 visitors to the park on eclipse day will receive a free pair of eclipse-viewing glasses.</p>
<p>The Obed Wild and Scenic River (Wartburg, Tennessee)</p>
<p>This entire stretch of the Obed Wild and Scenic River falls completely within the path of totality. There will be events at three different locations within the park. The area that will enjoy the longest amount of totality is the Big South Fork Gateway Visitor Center. Here, visitors will experience 149 seconds of darkness. Partial phases will begin at 1:00 PM, while the total phase should start about 2:30 PM.</p>
<p>Manhattan Project National Historical Park (Oak Ridge, Tennessee)</p>
<p>This historical park is situated within the path of totality, and officials have been planning public viewing events are the American Museum of Science and Energy’s Oak Ridge Visitor Center. Here, visitors will witness about 24 seconds of totality, which occurs at 2:33 PM EDT. The earlier phases of the eclipse will occur around 1:00 PM. This Oak Ridge site is one of three Manhattan Project National Historic Parks. The other sites are Los Alamos, New Mexico and another in Hanford, Washington. These other two sites do not fall into the path of totality. Other areas of the park, such as the Big South Fork Gateway Visitor Center will experience longer darkness. Here it will be about 149 seconds, and the totality starts at about 1:30 PM.</p>
<p>Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee &amp; North Carolina)</p>
<p>Stretching from North Carolina to Tennessee, the western section of this huge park falls in the path of totality. Viewers will be able to experience darkness as long as 140 seconds. There are three visitor centers in the park, and each one will be holding special eclipse activities. There are nine campgrounds available in the park, so if you happen to be lucky enough to have a spot reserved, you’re good to go. However, if they are full, the park advises to keep checking, as there will be cancellations.</p>
<p>Appalachian National Scenic Trail (several states)</p>
<p>This trail is a doozy! It stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia, to Mount Katahdin in Main. Sections of the trail in North Carolina to Tennessee will be directly under the path of totality. Ambitious hikers can climb 5,200 feet to the top of Albert Mountain to view the event. This is a public footpath and there are no fees to use it. The totality moment should occur at about 2:35 PM and should continue for 150 seconds.</p>
<p>Blue Ridge Parkway (Asheville, North Carolina)</p>
<p>This parkway offers a very suitable scenic route for watching the eclipse. Ironically, this parkway has been referred to as “America’s Favorite Drive.” It’s a highway that stretches over 469 miles as it runs through Virginia and North Carolina. The southern section of the drive (near Asheville, NC) lies in the path of totality. The darkness here will only last between 20-60 seconds, depending on the point from which it is viewed. Totality will commence at about 2:36 PM.</p>
<p>Ninety Six National Historic Site (Ninety Six, South Carolina)</p>
<p>This site is located directly in the path of totality, and will host an eclipse-viewing event at Star Fort Pond, where there will be activities for the whole family. Viewers here will experience about 152 seconds of the totality, which begins at 2:39 PM local time. There will be partial phases beginning at 1:10 PM.</p>
<p>Congaree National Park (Hopkins, South Carolina)</p>
<p>The path of totality will also traverse this national park. It’s the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. There will be viewing activities, as well as 151 seconds of darkness. The totality begins at 2:42 PM, but the partial phases will start up at 1:13 PM.</p>
<p>Charles Pinckney National Historic Site (Mount Pleasant, South Carolina)</p>
<p>This will be one of the last national park locations from whence viewers will be able to witness the grand event. The totality begins at 2:46 PM local time, and will last for about 108 seconds. Visitors can also walk the plantation grounds while the eclipse is happening.</p>
<p>Fort Sumter National Monument (Charleston, South Carolina)</p>
<p>The last thing the moon’s shadow will do before setting its course across the Atlantic Ocean, is pass over Fort Sumter. Viewers here will experience about 93 seconds of darkness, and will do so at about 2:46 PM. The partial eclipse activity will commence at 1:16 PM EDT. The only way to get to this national monument (which also includes Fort Moultrie) is to take a boat. There is no entrance fee, but you will need to purchase a ticket for the ferry.</p>
<p>Other trails from which the totality of the total eclipse will be visible are:</p>
<p>Santa Fe National Historic Trail<br/> Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail<br/>
Oregon National Historic Trail<br/>
Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail<br/>
California National Historic Trail<br/>
Pony Express National Historic Trail<br/>
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail</p>
<p>If you have never seen a total eclipse of the sun, and we’re willing to bet that you probably haven’t, then you’re going to be awed by the experience. If you’ve never traveled in the comfort of one of our class C rental RVs, we think you’ll be just as awed by that!</p>Where do You Stand Statistically?tag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2017-07-31:2150408:BlogPost:1016112017-07-31T16:00:00.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>According to a survey conducted by The Associated press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, the number 1 thing that Americans want to do while on vacation is … nothing! In fact, close to 75% of Americans say that relaxing while on vacation is extremely important to them. They are perfectly willing to turn in their hiking shoes for a good, comfy hammock.</p>
<img src="http://www.cruiseamerica.com/images/newsletter/080417/relaxingblogimage.jpg"></img><br />
<p>What About the Traditional Staycation?</p>
<p>While we do like our relaxation, it seems that most of us don’t exactly…</p>
<p>According to a survey conducted by The Associated press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, the number 1 thing that Americans want to do while on vacation is … nothing! In fact, close to 75% of Americans say that relaxing while on vacation is extremely important to them. They are perfectly willing to turn in their hiking shoes for a good, comfy hammock.</p>
<img src="http://www.cruiseamerica.com/images/newsletter/080417/relaxingblogimage.jpg"/><br />
<p>What About the Traditional Staycation?</p>
<p>While we do like our relaxation, it seems that most of us don’t exactly cling to the idea of staying home during our allotted vacation time. Interestingly, only 8% of us think that staying home is ideal; the other 92% want to get out and explore. That’s most likely why RV camping is so enjoyable. And now that Cruise America has over 120 locations around the nation, you’re never too far from one of our rental centers.</p>
<p>How About Unplugging from Our Electronics?</p>
<p>Most Americans do their best to keep from cracking open the computer or bookwork and continuing to work while on vacation. While 32% of us work a little, or at least check in with work from time to time, 60% of us claim to never check in with work at all while traveling. Only 8% of us don’t slow down at all, rather we lean more towards the “workaholic” habits and can’t seem to leave work alone. Unfortunately for that 8%, they won’t ever achieve TRUE relaxation without “letting go” for a while!</p>
<p>Interesting enough, it’s the Americans under 30 that are the most plugged in. Only 13% of them say that they are likely to completely disconnect from online activity while on vacation.</p>
<p>Lately, the term “bleizure” has been bantered about at the water cooler. It means to combine a business trip with a leisure trip. However, the majority of us (69%) don’t consider the extension of a business trip a real vacation.</p>
<p>What are the Favorite Vacation Activities?</p>
<p>Everybody has their own idea of what they most like to do while on vacation. When the study group of travelers were asked what their favorite activities were while traveling, the responses were as such:</p>
<img src="http://www.cruiseamerica.com/images/newsletter/080417/secondimage.jpg"/><br />
<p>Sightseeing – 55%<br/> Local Culture &amp; Cuisine – 51%<br/>
Visiting Family Members – 46%<br/>
Spending Time in Nature – 45%</p>
<p>When it comes to gender, there are distinct differences between traveling women and their traveling male counterparts. While 22% of women enjoy shopping, their store-loving men measure in at only 9%. In addition, women (60%) outnumber the men (49%) when it comes to sightseeing as being one of their favorite traveling activities. Lastly, the women (52%) enjoy visiting family more than the men (40%).</p>
<p>Traveling Alone or with Company?</p>
<p>Eighty-seven percent of travelers do so with their spouses and/or children. Only 14% say that they prefer to travel alone. Consequently, 68% of travelers will vacation with either a significant other or friend, while 49% will travel with other relatives or friends.</p>
<p>There is one point that nobody will argue with: It’s hard to beat the convenience and comfort of traveling in a Cruise America motorhome. Our Class C units are in tip-top condition, and ready to hit the open highway.</p>How to Safely View an Eclipsetag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2017-06-20:2150408:BlogPost:1005042017-06-20T19:30:00.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>As kids, every one of us would repeatedly hear several of “life’s rules.” Don’t run with scissors in your hand— always wait at least 30 minutes after eating before getting in the pool—don’t talk to strangers—and don’t look directly into the sun! Soon, you’ll be allowed to break one of these rules, and you won’t even get in trouble!</p>
<p>On August 21, 2017, a celestial phenomenon will occur that we earthlings have not seen for 26 years. It’s a total eclipse of the sun, and because of the…</p>
<p>As kids, every one of us would repeatedly hear several of “life’s rules.” Don’t run with scissors in your hand— always wait at least 30 minutes after eating before getting in the pool—don’t talk to strangers—and don’t look directly into the sun! Soon, you’ll be allowed to break one of these rules, and you won’t even get in trouble!</p>
<p>On August 21, 2017, a celestial phenomenon will occur that we earthlings have not seen for 26 years. It’s a total eclipse of the sun, and because of the fact that this is such a rare event, you’d be remiss to not travel to an area that will offer the best show. It is on this date that the people across the United States will have the opportunity to watch the sun disappear behind the moon, which will turn the daylight into twilight. The temperatures will drop rapidly, and streamers of light streaking through the sky will appear around the silhouette of the moon. If you’re in one of the “total” viewing areas, you’ll be able to watch the sun completely disappear behind the moon for 1-2 minutes. It will even get dark enough for the stars and planets to appear.<br/> A solar eclipse happens when the moon blocks any part of the sun. In the case of the upcoming “Great American Eclipse” in August, anyone within a roughly 70-mile-wide path from Oregon to South Carolina, will get to see the brief show in the sky.</p>
<p>But for an event so spectacular, yet so rare, how can it be watched without ruining your eyes? Here’s a few tips from Nasa, explaining how to safely view the eclipse:</p>
<p>-Looking directly at the sun is not safe, except the brief period when the sun is completely blocked by the moon. This will only happen in the “path of totality.”</p>
<p>-The only safe way to look directly at the sun is to use special-purpose solar filtering glasses, known as “eclipse glasses,” or special hand-held solar viewers.</p>
<p>-Do not attempt to use homemade devices to gaze into the sun … it isn’t safe.</p>
<p>-The glasses and handheld eclipse viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for such products are Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics, Thousand Oaks Optical and TSE 17. The glasses are available online.</p>
<p>-If your eclipse viewing glasses become scratched or damaged, discard them.</p>
<p>-Always supervise children that are using the eclipse glasses.</p>
<p>-Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking towards the bright sun. After glancing at the sun, turn away and remove your filter, but not until you are no longer looking towards the sun.</p>
<p>-Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device. Similarly, do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device. The concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eyes, causing serious injury.</p>
<p>If you are in the path of totality, remove your solar filter only when the moon completely covers the sun’s bright face and it suddenly gets quite dark. You will experience totality for 1-2 minutes (depending on your location), then, as soon as the bright sun begins to reappear, replace your solar viewer to glance at the remaining partial phases.</p>
<p>There is nothing more spectacular than a cosmos show offered by Mother Nature. What a great way to educate your kids while making family memories. One of the best ways to enhance the experience is to do enjoy it in a rental RV from Cruise America.</p>Chasing Shadows for a Heavenly Viewtag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2017-06-19:2150408:BlogPost:1006022017-06-19T19:00:00.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>At Cruise America, we have blogged about hundreds of places you can go in one of our top-of-the-line class C rental motorhomes. We offer ideas for the best views that Mother Nature has to offer. We’ve suggested national and state parks, beaches, forests, mountains, deserts, glaciers and even volcanos. But hang on to your trailer hitches folks, because there’s something coming up in just a matter of weeks that you won’t want to miss, and you may need to make travel plans to get the best view…</p>
<p>At Cruise America, we have blogged about hundreds of places you can go in one of our top-of-the-line class C rental motorhomes. We offer ideas for the best views that Mother Nature has to offer. We’ve suggested national and state parks, beaches, forests, mountains, deserts, glaciers and even volcanos. But hang on to your trailer hitches folks, because there’s something coming up in just a matter of weeks that you won’t want to miss, and you may need to make travel plans to get the best view of the event, depending on where you live.</p>
<p>On the 21st day of August, in the year 2017, the moon will be passing directly into the path of the sun, completely blocking its light, and obliterating the normal daylight from the sky. The shadow from the moon will race towards the earth, with which it is to collide. When it does, a total eclipse of the sun will happen. The moon’s shadow will arrive at 10:15 a.m. with perfect accuracy, as predicted by scientists and astronomers, decades ago.</p>
<p>This is the first eclipse of its kind to happen in 26 years. It has been dubbed “The Great American Eclipse,” and it’s a sight that very few people have witnessed, and from what we hear, it’s an uncanny view.</p>
<p>Not that you ever need a reason or an excuse to rent an RV, but what a perfect opportunity to rent a motorhome and travel to one of the locations where you can view this upcoming celestial event in its entirety! People from all over the world are making U.S. travel plans for their viewing trips, and are booking hotel rooms by the droves. With an RV, you don’t need to attempt to find a hotel. Actually, you don’t even need an RV park … there is always dry camping, if you prefer. But imagine celebrating this historical phenomenon in the comfort of a rental motorhome that’s parked wherever you choose to park it for the big show.</p>
<p>But here’s the thing—you can’t see the eclipse in its entirety (meaning full “totality”) from just anywhere. There are certain cities in certain states though, where the heavens will offer the complete show … the states in which these cities are located are listed below, as well as the Cruise America rental location/locations also located in or near the state:</p>
<p>Oregon<br/> Mt. Scott Motors in Portland at 8400 SE 82nd Ave Portland, OR 97266<br/>
503-777-9833</p>
<p>Idaho<br/> Beckham Collision Center – 117 N 21st Ave Caldwell, ID 83605<br/>
208-455-6289</p>
<p>Montana <br/> Taylor’s Choice Auto – 720 Central Ave Billings, MT 59102<br/>
800-549-2301<br/>
VEM Enterprises – 700 W Madison Ave Belgrade, MT 59714<br/>
406-388-2330<br/>
Mike’s Off Road – 80675-B Gallatin Rd Bozeman, MT 59718<br/>
406-624-0424<br/>
Sport Land Inc – 12787 US Highway 93 S Lolo, MT 59847<br/>
406-273-4994</p>
<p>Wyoming<br/> Cruise America Denver – 8950 Federal Blvd Federal Heights, CO 80260<br/>
77-784-3733</p>
<p>Nebraska<br/> A-1 Enterprises Inc – 4114 S 90th St Omaha, NE 68127<br/>
402-592-1118</p>
<p>Kansas<br/> Express Stops – 1650 SW Market St Hwy 50 &amp; 291 South Lee’s Summit, MO 64063<br/>
816-347-9662</p>
<p>Iowa<br/> A-1 Enterprises Inc – 4114 S 90th St Omaha, NE<br/>
402-592-1118</p>
<p>Missouri<br/> Express Stops – 1650 SW Market St Hwy 50 &amp; 291 South Lee’s Summit, MO 64063<br/>
816-347-9662<br/>
Springfield KOA – 5775 W Farm Road 140<br/>
417-866-1222</p>
<p>Illinois<br/> The Truck Stop – 2732 Mannheim Rd Franklin Park, IL 60131<br/>
847-451-9662<br/>
Discount Car Rental – 895 Richardson Rd E Dundee, IL 60118<br/>
847-426-3300<br/>
Wenzel’s Automotive Service – 1101 Sheridan Rd Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096<br/>
844-849-2548<br/>
A&amp;G Rental – 10S241 Schoger Dr Naperville, IL 60564<br/>
603-236-4775<br/>
North Park Rental Services Inc – 9624 N 2nd St Machesney Park, IL 61115<br/>
815-282-4347<br/>
Three Rivers RV – 4615 Hedge Road Roxana, IL 62024<br/>
618-254-3650</p>
<p>Kentucky<br/> B&amp;C Rentals – 201 Donelson Pike Nashville, TN 37214<br/>
615-885-4281</p>
<p>Tennessee<br/> Melton Collision Center – 2305 Hatcher Dr Knoxville, TN 37921<br/>
865-766-0300<br/>
A Aaron Moving Inc – 10230 Hwy 70 Lakeland, TN 38002<br/>
901-867-0639<br/>
B&amp;C Rentals – 201 Donelson Pike Nashville, TN 37214<br/>
615-885-4281</p>
<p>Georgia<br/> Gwinnett Rental &amp; Truck Repair 3446 Buford Hwy Duluth, GA 30096<br/>
770-495-7186<br/>
Super Deals RV – 931 Carrollton Hwy Temple, GA 30179<br/>
770-942-1700</p>
<p>North Carolina<br/> Interstate Motor &amp; Auto – 8533 Old Concord Road Charlotte, NC 28213<br/>
704-921-4844<br/>
Westside Rental – 5412 US Hwy 70 W Durham, NC 27705<br/>
919-384-8645<br/>
B&amp;B Automotive Sales &amp; Leasing – 5216 W Market St Greensboro, NC 27409<br/>
336-292-8420</p>
<p>South Carolina<br/> Penguin Rentals Inc 1200 Broad River Road Columbia, SC 29210</p>
<p>It would be too lengthy to list all of the towns within these states that will enjoy full totality, but it’s an easy internet search away.</p>
<p>Just a reminder that if you are going to watch the eclipse, be sure to use special glasses or other safe viewing methods, rather than looking directly at it. This could severely damage your eyes.</p>
<p>It’s not going to last long. In fact, the swath of the moon’s shadow will be touching the United States for only a total of one hour and 33 minutes, which is less time than most movies last. Anyone viewing it will get less than two minutes to see it in full totality, but in that short period of time, many lives will be changed, having seen one of nature’s most spectacular shows. The only thing that could make it more enjoyable is seeing it from a Cruise America rental RV … now THAT’S a heavenly view!</p>Why is Camping Growing by Record Numbers?tag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2017-05-16:2150408:BlogPost:993472017-05-16T23:07:21.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>Mankind and Mother Nature have always been allies in the search and provision of solitude and tranquility. The demographics of those who enjoy being outside, whether absorbing the sun’s rays on the beaches and lakes, or taking a nap in the shade of the mammoth green trees soaring high from the mountain side, is growing in record numbers. People are discovering that there’s no better stress reliever than abandoning the city life for the peaceful sights and sounds of the great…</p>
<p>Mankind and Mother Nature have always been allies in the search and provision of solitude and tranquility. The demographics of those who enjoy being outside, whether absorbing the sun’s rays on the beaches and lakes, or taking a nap in the shade of the mammoth green trees soaring high from the mountain side, is growing in record numbers. People are discovering that there’s no better stress reliever than abandoning the city life for the peaceful sights and sounds of the great outdoors.</p>
<p>This irresistible craving for the countryside has neither demographical limits, nor cultural boundaries, and the number of North Americans that are leaving their cityscapes and heading to the hills is rapidly increasing—and has been for years. In fact, a recent study conducted by Cairn Consulting Group, and sponsored by KOA, revealed in the North American Camping Report that 3.4 million U.S. households have become avid campers over the last three years, and 48% of North American campers intend on camping more in 2017 than in previous years. More than half of them will be taking their children along.</p>
<p>One group of people that has, of late, shown a great deal of interest in camping, is the Millennial generation. This term is usually considered to apply to individuals who reached adulthood around the turn of the 21st century. Not only are they embracing the camping lifestyle, they are doing so in record numbers. Interestingly, Millennials comprise 31% of the adult population, yet they account for 38% of campers! When polled, more than half of the Millennials stated that they intend on camping more in 2017, not unlike the general population.</p>
<p>So, this information begs the question, “Why is camping growing at such record numbers?”.</p>
<p>Aside from the growing Millennial interest, there are other factors nudging up the camping statistics. For instance:</p>
<p>Generation Z – This last North American Camping Report includes a survey conducted towards teenagers, and their attitudes about camping. This would be the “Generation Z” (those born between approximately mid-1990s and the early 2000s). These teens have definite opinions about the reasons they like camping, but the prevalent answer is that it allows them time to spend outdoors with family. Interestingly, more than half of the teens report that camping allows them to unplug from their electronics. In fact, 71% of them have stated that if they had to completely disconnect from technology, they would. This is in contrast to the adults’ reasoning for wanting to maintain internet access (see below).</p>
<p>Asian Spike – Over the past few years there has been a substantial increase in the number of campers of Asian descent. In 2016, 14% of new campers fit into this demographic, which is a shift from the overall Asian population statistics. This elevation in numbers is attributed to the younger crowd in this cultural group, as 43% of them say that they have started camping in just the last few years. In addition, the older Asian campers are likely to be new to camping, as 25% of them have indicated that they started recently. There is, however, a definite distinction between the older and younger Asian crowd. Those who fall into the Millennial category report spending over half of their camping nights in state or national parks, while the baby boomers and mature crowd report that they spend almost 75% of their camping nights in the parks.</p>
<p>Staying Connected – Of the overall number of U.S. campers polled, 37% stated that technology has been a big factor in allowing them to start camping more. The access to the internet allows them to keep in touch by receiving work emails and checking in with work when needed. On an average, those who indicated that the access to technology allows them more camping, stay an average of two more days than they normally would. Conversely, the teen crowd of Generation Z indicated that most of them would still go camping, even if it meant disconnecting from their screens.</p>
<p>These are a few of the causes of the recent increase in our country’s campers. However, the biggest reason is simply that more and more people are discovering the joy and relaxation that comes from exploring the great outdoors. It tends to get “in your blood” and instill a desire for more and more stress-free travel right here in our great nation.</p>
<p>Cruise America is happy to be a big contributor to the convenience of getting away, renting and selling RVs to those who don’t have one, and providing them with the most pleasant experience they could ever imagine. That’s why they keep coming back for more!</p>Spring into Beauty with Cruise Americatag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2017-04-18:2150408:BlogPost:993092017-04-18T16:41:26.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>Now that spring is in the air, it’s time to work your way out of hibernation and think about reinvigorating your spirit by getting reconnected with Mother Nature. Recent research has proven that just a simple walk in the forest can calm your mind and improve mental health. Scientists tell us that those who spend time in our national parks tend to feel happier and exude more self-esteem.</p>
<p>If you’re like most of America, you’re probably itching to get out of the house and go somewhere.…</p>
<p>Now that spring is in the air, it’s time to work your way out of hibernation and think about reinvigorating your spirit by getting reconnected with Mother Nature. Recent research has proven that just a simple walk in the forest can calm your mind and improve mental health. Scientists tell us that those who spend time in our national parks tend to feel happier and exude more self-esteem.</p>
<p>If you’re like most of America, you’re probably itching to get out of the house and go somewhere. Why not take advantage of the beautiful national parks we have right here in our own backyards? There’s 58 of them to choose from, and they’re all a great place to recharge your mind and fortify your spirit. Within our parks, you’ll find stunning views of nature at her finest, along with waterfalls, shimmering lakes and rivers, dense forests, tall rocky spires, cliffs and red rock formations, to name just a few.</p>
<p>Here are 16 of the parks …</p>
<p><b>Great Smokey Mountains</b>: This park is located partly in North Carolina and partly in Tennessee. Deep Creek Campground is a great place if you’re prepared to stay for a few days. Its primary feature is the water and the activities that go along with it. There you will find lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. There is a myriad of streams, rivers and waterfalls along the many hiking trails. For a gorgeous view, there is an observation tower located atop Clingmans Dome, which is the highest peak.</p>
<p><b>Yellowstone National Park</b>: This park is nearly 3,500 square miles of wilderness and recreation, all complemented with a volcanic hotspot. It lies mostly in Wyoming, but parts of this park spread into Montana and Idaho, too. This visual wonderland features dramatic hot springs and roaring geysers, alpine rivers, lush forests and dramatic canyons. In addition, Yellowstone is home to hundreds of wild animal species, including bears, wolves, bison, elk and antelope.</p>
<p><b>Rocky Mountain National Park</b>: Located in northern Colorado, this park spans the Continental Divide and is made up of protected mountains, forests and alpine tundra. It is also home to the renowned beautiful drives along the Trail Ridge Road and the Old Fall River Road. These routes reward the onlooker with generous views of aspen trees and rivers. There are several hiking paths and mountain climbs in the park as well. There is a trail that goes around Bear Lake, offering breathtaking views of the peaks.</p>
<p><b>Denali National Park and Preserve</b>: This is an enormous park encompassing six million acres of Alaskan wilderness. It features the Denali (Mt. McKinley) that soars 20,310 feet into the sky. It is the highest peak in North America. The park is home to all kinds of wildlife, such as grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves and Dall sheep. It’s a great destination for hiking, backpacking, mountaineering and biking.</p>
<p><b>Yosemite National Park</b>: This park is nestled in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Known for its giant sequoia trees and for the famous Bridalveil Fall, the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome rise in a majestic fashion. Here you will find shops, eateries, camping, the Yosemite Museum and the Ansel Adams Gallery, housing Adams’ prints of his popular black-and-white landscapes of the area.</p>
<p><b>Arches National Park</b>: This park is north of Moab in Utah. It’s bordered by the Colorado River in the southeast. This park is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, towering majestically into the sky. There are other geographical features as well, like Balanced Rock, which towers over the landscape right in the middle of the park.</p>
<p><b>Glacier National Park</b>: This national park encompasses 1,583 square miles of wilderness area in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. There are glacier-carved peaks and valleys that run all the way to the border of Canada. There are over 700 miles of hiking trails, including a route to get to the breathtaking Hidden Lake. The wildlife is diverse, and includes mountain goats and grizzly bears. This is a great spot for hiking, backpacking, cycling and camping.</p>
<p><b>Bryce Canyon National Park</b>: This sprawling southern Utah preserve is known for its colorful spire-shaped rock formations knows as hoodoos. The main road of the park goes right past the enormous Bryce Amphitheater. It’s a depression filled with hoodoos that lies below the Rim Trail hiking path. There are overlooks at Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. That’s a lot of points! The best time to get the prime views are at sunrise and sunset.</p>
<p><b>Voyageurs National Park</b>: This park is located in northern Minnesota, in close proximity to the Canadian border. It’s known for its waterways, forests and the huge lakes of Rainy, Kabetogama and Namakan. There is also a series of abstract sculptures on a terraced outcrop that was created by artist, Jack Ellsworth. It’s known as the Ellsworth Rock Gardens. In the area of the remote Kettle Falls is a dam and a red-roofed hotel, both built in the early 20th century.</p>
<p><b>Joshua Tree National Park</b>: This vast protected area is located in southern California. Here you will find stark desert landscapes dotted with rugged rock formations. The park is named for the many Joshua Trees. Keys View is a lookout point that offers views of Coachella Valley. There are also several hiking trails that weave in and out of the boulders of Hidden Valley.</p>
<p><b>Olympic National Park</b>: It’s located on the Olympic Peninsula in the state of Washington. From the dramatic peaks of the Olympic Mountains to the old-growth forests, this park spans across several different ecosystems. It’s popular for sightseers, as well as climbers, hikers and backpackers, as there are trails that cut through the park’s rainforests and right along its Pacific coastline.</p>
<p><b>Zion National Park</b>: This southwest Utah nature preserve features the world-renowned steep red cliff faces. The scenic drive through the park cuts directly through the main section that leads to forest trails along the Virgin River. This river flows directly into the Emerald Pools, complete with waterfalls and a hanging garden. There is also a wading hike called Zion Narrows, that cuts through the deep chasms.</p>
<p><b>Big Bend National Park</b>: They say that everything in Texas is big, not excluding this national park. There are over 1,200 square miles of enjoyment in this sprawling area. It includes the entire Chisos Mountain Range, as well as a large section of the Chihuahuan desert. You can take the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, which lead to the Sam Nail Ranch ruins, which have been taken over by the wildlife of the desert. You can also visit the Santa Elena Canyon, which was carved by the Rio Grande, leaving its mark of steep limestone cliffs. Near the Mexican border, you will find Langford Hot Springs, where there are pictographs, as well as the foundations of an old bathhouse.</p>
<p><b>Everglades National Park</b>: This enormous park encompasses one-and-a-half million acres of wetlands. It’s located on the southern tip of the state of Florida. It’s somewhat of a thrill ride, as the wildlife is abundant, and it’s not always the friendly kind. These everglades are comprised of sawgrass marshes, coastal mangroves and pine flatwoods. Among the endangered wildlife, one may spot the leatherback turtle, the Florida panther and the West Indian manatee.</p>
<p><b>Shenandoah National Park</b>: Extending along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, this park is a vast network of trails. In fact, these trails include a section of the famed long-distance Appalachian Trail. While the majority is forested, there are wetlands, rocky peaks (such as Hawksbill and Old Rag Mountains) and waterfalls. Shenandoah is the home to several bird species, squirrels, deer and the black bear.</p>
<p>Whatever park you choose, you’re bound to have a great time, and there is no more comfortable way to travel than in a rental RV from Cruise America. Spring is here, so don’t wait to make your reservations!</p>Five Amazing RV Destinationstag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2017-04-18:2150408:BlogPost:991922017-04-18T16:33:59.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>So many travelers dream of taking a trip to faraway, exotic places. If you look at the Internet, it appears as though there are no unpopulated areas here in the U.S. where you can find solitude and tranquility. However, anyone who is part of the RV lifestyle knows different!</p>
<p>No matter where you live in our United States of America, you most likely won’t have to travel very far to explore some of nature’s finest work, breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, winding beaches and iconic…</p>
<p>So many travelers dream of taking a trip to faraway, exotic places. If you look at the Internet, it appears as though there are no unpopulated areas here in the U.S. where you can find solitude and tranquility. However, anyone who is part of the RV lifestyle knows different!</p>
<p>No matter where you live in our United States of America, you most likely won’t have to travel very far to explore some of nature’s finest work, breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, winding beaches and iconic landmarks.</p>
<p>Here are just a few incredible places to travel in an RV:</p>
<p>Red Rock Country in Arizona</p>
<p>This is a road trip that will keep you gazing in wonder. The scenic byway begins in Sedona, where some of the natural formations have been named after just what they look like. For instance, there’s Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Ship Rock, and many more. In fact, several of these goliath formations have been featured in movies.</p>
<p>Secret Mountain Wilderness is one of the ten designated wilderness areas in Coconino Forest. While in the Red Rock area you can enjoy jeep tours, horseback riding, fishing, swimming, sightseeing, nature viewing and, of course, RV camping.</p>
<p>Death Valley in California</p>
<p>Death Valley is one of the hottest places on this planet. This is where you’ll find the lowest elevation, the driest climate and the hottest temperatures in the U.S. Temperatures have been recorded to soar up to 134.06 degrees during the heat of the summer. As far as camping goes, there are over 3,000,000 acres of wilderness, along with 700 miles of backcountry dirt roads that are open for camping in this amazing national park. Star watchers love it in Death Valley, as it provides for some of the best star gazing and meteor spotting on the planet. There is no light pollution to block out heaven’s light show.</p>
<p>Myrtle Beach in South Carolina</p>
<p>Here you can find amazing beaches; sixty miles of them, to be exact. This sandy paradise, mixed with the party atmosphere and the delectable eateries, are just a few good reasons to maneuver your RV to this hotspot. There’s also a great nightlife, with popular hangouts like Malibu’s Surf Bar, Senior Frogs and Club Boca. Another thing this area is famous for are the perfect bodysurfing conditions. For a fun adventure with a carnival feel to it, visit the boardwalk and the promenade.</p>
<p>Crater Lake in Oregon</p>
<p>If lakes were given a rating from 1 to 10 on the beauty scale, this lake would get an 11! It is the deepest lake in the nation, with the bottom looming 1,949 feet beneath the surface. The water is incredibly blue because of the purity of the water. Here you can take boat tours, go swimming, fishing, listen to the ranger presentations, take part in the evening programs, and camp (of course). There are old-growth forests to explore, mountains to climb for spectacular views of the lake, and wildflower meadows to gaze upon. It has been dubbed as one of the best RV camping spots in the country.</p>
<p>Leavenworth in Washington</p>
<p>You’ll think you’ve stepped in a true Bavarian village when you visit Leavenworth. Take a stroll through this quaint menagerie of Bavarian shops and German eateries. This tiny town may be considered eye candy to some, but the little village is geared toward travelers and outdoor enthusiasts with the richest soil for harvesting an amazing variety of delicious, sweet apples, peaches, cherries, plums and pears. In the winter you’ll find skiing, snowmobiling, snowboarding, ski jumping, snowshoeing, snowcat skiing and even dog sledding. It’s a winter wonderland during the cold season. If you’re a wine connoisseur, you’ll appreciate going to a wine tasting, as the wine from Leavenworth Valley is quickly becoming one of the hottest up-and-coming wine hotbeds in the Northwest. If you’re looking for more physical activity, run along the Skyline Lake Trail, which is a 3.3-mile loop near the town, or the Colchuck Lake Trail, an 8-mile out and back trail.</p>
<p>It doesn’t really matter what your destination is, because the journey is the true reward. The togetherness and comfort that comes along with RV travel is unmatched, so get online, give us a call or come visit us to reserve your RV now.</p>7 Tips to Boondocking Etiquette!tag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2017-03-23:2150408:BlogPost:990702017-03-23T20:47:07.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>Boondocking is a great way to camp, especially if you enjoy the vast wilderness and the solitude that one gets from becoming a part of nature. Boondocking, otherwise known as “dry camping,” “disbursed camping” or “off the grid camping,” simply means that you choose to camp on your own, rather than stay in an established RV park. This is completely possible because every Cruise America class C recreational vehicle is completely self-sufficient. With water tanks, battery banks and an onboard…</p>
<p>Boondocking is a great way to camp, especially if you enjoy the vast wilderness and the solitude that one gets from becoming a part of nature. Boondocking, otherwise known as “dry camping,” “disbursed camping” or “off the grid camping,” simply means that you choose to camp on your own, rather than stay in an established RV park. This is completely possible because every Cruise America class C recreational vehicle is completely self-sufficient. With water tanks, battery banks and an onboard generator, it’s easy living when you boondock in a rental RV from Cruise America.</p>
<p>There are a great number of public lands upon which campers can boondock, and many of them have rules regarding their use as far as how long you can camp, where you can camp, etc. But when it comes to the proper etiquette of boondocking, there is no hard and fast set of rules to follow; it’s more about common sense and good judgement. However, here are seven rules that every RVer should know before embarking on a boondocking adventure.</p>
<p>Utilize Existing Roads and Camp Spots</p>
<p>This is probably one of the most important rules to adhere to as you dry camp. While you want to enjoy the wilderness, you also want to keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to have as little of an impact on the surroundings as possible. One of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to follow roads that have already been traveled, and make camp where someone has camped before. Don’t drive into beautiful land and destroy vegetation just to establish a new camping spot. There are most likely plenty of spots where people have camped before, leaving fire rings, cleared areas, etc. Nobody wants to destroy the nature that they’ve come to visit and admire.</p>
<p>Remember that campfires are regulated by the local public land authority. Most boondocking spots allow fires, but when the fire risk is high, they can ban them completely. It’s easy to call ahead and find out before you go.</p>
<p>Leave with What You Came With</p>
<p>Boondocking on public lands is not unlike backpacking … on a large scale. You basically bring whatever you’re going to need for your trip, and when you depart, take it all away with you. It is considered extremely rude for RVers to dump black-water tanks and leave trash scattered around their sites. It’s a simple process to put all your trash in plastic bags to haul it away, and if your tanks need dumping, then find a legitimate dumpsite. By practicing leaving no trace, you’ll encourage other campers to follow in your footsteps (literally) and do the same.</p>
<p>Observe and Obey Stay Limits</p>
<p>Most of the public lands around this nation of ours have stay limits. Normally, these rules limit campers to 14 days within any 28-day period. Once you have stayed fourteen days, you may be required to move camp at least 25 miles away. Some public lands have rules that are more restrictive, yet there are others that have no stay limits at all. It’s always a good idea to check before setting up camp.</p>
<p>There are some who, rather than observing the stay limits, will push the limits and wait for the ranger to come by and tell them that it’s time to leave. Truthfully, most of the time nobody will ever bother you, but as a courtesy, it’s a good idea to obey the stay limits.</p>
<p>Keep your Neighborly Distance</p>
<p>While there is no written official rule about this, remember that it’s basic boondocking etiquette to give your neighbors a respectful amount of space between your two camps. Now, the right amount of space will depend on the situation. If you’re out in the middle of the desert, two or three hundred feet apart is not at all unusual. But if you’re camping at a big event, and there are several RVs parked there, you may only be able to keep about 20 feet between your rigs. Typically, if you’re camping in a densely-wooded area, you’ll just take the next open site. It’s just good, common sense to keep a neighborly distance between campsites.</p>
<p>Wandering Pets and Noise Levels</p>
<p>Most people who boondock are out camping so they can get away from it all. The last thing they want to hear is another campsite making a lot of unruly noise. Most of the time this won’t be an issue, as you may have no neighbors at all, but when there are other campers in close proximity, remember that they are probably out in the wild seeking peace and quiet. Most disbursed camping spots have no written rules about generator noise and music, but this is where common courtesy kicks in. If you have no neighbors, then crank up the tunes as loud as you like, and run the genny anytime of the day or night that suits you. If you do have other campers nearby, respect their relaxation and tranquility.</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that your RV neighbors don’t want to have your pet wandering around their campground. If Fido is wandering around unleashed (and there are public lands that allow this), you should always keep a close eye on him, making sure that he doesn’t wander into other campers’ space.</p>
<p>Are your Neighbors Sociable or Private?</p>
<p>This is always a good thing to find out. Most RVers are the social type. They love to sit around swapping travel experiences and comparing notes. It’s not at all unusual to be walking through the woods and get an invitation to sit and shoot the breeze. But then again, there are those campers who choose boondocking because they want to stay as far away from other people as possible. Those are the types that probably will not be inviting you to chat around the fire. It’s always a good idea to determine if your neighbors are social or private, and approach them accordingly. In a boondocking community, it doesn’t take long to determine who the social butterflies are, and who the party poopers are.</p>
<p>This Land is Your Land, this Land is My Land</p>
<p>Public land is just that – public! It’s your land, to an extent, but then again, it’s not your land. In other words, it is land that we can all share equally. The prime spot that you may have had during last year’s camping trip may be gone this year. That’s okay, there’s a lot of land to park on. There’s no need to place barriers and “no trespassing” signs, (which has been done many times) in an attempt to save your perfect and traditional spot. Just remember that unless you have a deed to a piece of property, it’s not yours and you’re not managing it.</p>
<p>Just remember that when boondocking, be respectful, share the space, leave it pristine for the incoming visitors and we’ll all be happy campers!</p>Go Camping and Go to Sleep!tag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2017-03-23:2150408:BlogPost:992352017-03-23T20:17:54.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>For as long as there have been skies to sleep under, there have been people unable to get to sleep. These night-crawling insomniacs have tried plants, pills, meditation, special lighting and even hypnotic recordings, yet some find no dozing relief! <br></br> If you happen to be one of these sleep-deprived individuals, fear not … there’s hope … and it’s as close as your local Cruise America RV rental location. You see, recent research has revealed that there is a much simpler way to overcome…</p>
<p>For as long as there have been skies to sleep under, there have been people unable to get to sleep. These night-crawling insomniacs have tried plants, pills, meditation, special lighting and even hypnotic recordings, yet some find no dozing relief! <br/> If you happen to be one of these sleep-deprived individuals, fear not … there’s hope … and it’s as close as your local Cruise America RV rental location. You see, recent research has revealed that there is a much simpler way to overcome insomnia besides pills and hypnotism; it’s simply the great outdoors! According to scientists, just a few nights out camping can reset your body’s internal clock and help you fall asleep more quickly.</p>
<p>So, rather than lying down counting sheep in your bedroom, scientists suggest that you get out into the world and start counting real sheep, or trees, or deer or waterfalls. And try out your camping skills while you’re at it. And what better way to explore the outdoors than in a Cruise America rental RV?</p>
<p>Researchers report that by simply being a member of today’s society, your circadian rhythm can be thrown completely off course. One of the main causes of this is the deprivation of sufficient natural light. A recent experiment was conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado, during which it was discovered that just a short stay in the great outdoors can cause a rapid shift in peoples’ internal clocks by as much as 2.5 hours, making it possible for them to go to bed at a decent hour once they return home from camping.</p>
<p>This can be a big relief to those suffering from a lack of sleep. Not getting enough shuteye can cause noticeable sleepiness and reduced productivity during the daylight hours, and even worse, lends to mood disorders, diabetes and obesity.<br/> According to the research leader, Dr. Kenneth Wright, “If a person wants to go to bed at an earlier hour, then a weekend of camping could be just the thing.” He continued, “Our findings demonstrate that living in our modern environment contributes to late circadian timing, regardless of season, and that a weekend camping trip can reset our clock rapidly.”<br/>
It was this same research team that previously discovered that the modern-day exposure to electrical lighting (such as computer screens, phone screens, etc.) can be the cause of our circadian timing being off by as much as two hours.<br/>
This same group of researchers wanted to find out if the same sleep-inducing effect could be triggered by shorter amounts of exposure, so they sent a group of nine people out camping for a single weekend—with no forms of lighting, including flashlights and cell phones. This lack of electrical lighting over the weekend did the trick; shifting the internal clocks of the participants into proper alignment. An additional factor would be the lack of technology such as phones, computers or tablets keeping them up at night.</p>
<p>So, as you can see, camping in a Cruise America rental RV is not only stress relieving and totally relaxing; it will also get you sleeping better!</p>Time to Cut the Cord?tag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2017-02-09:2150408:BlogPost:992062017-02-09T16:18:51.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>One of many great things about traveling in this country of ours is that there are so many beautiful national parks and government-run land that offer camping in magnificent, scenic environments. Whether your taste calls for beaches, flatlands, mountains or lakes, there is a camping area that will meet your desires.</p>
<p>RV travel has always been very popular, but in recent years the number of RV enthusiasts has grown exponentially. It just keeps getting more and more appealing to those…</p>
<p>One of many great things about traveling in this country of ours is that there are so many beautiful national parks and government-run land that offer camping in magnificent, scenic environments. Whether your taste calls for beaches, flatlands, mountains or lakes, there is a camping area that will meet your desires.</p>
<p>RV travel has always been very popular, but in recent years the number of RV enthusiasts has grown exponentially. It just keeps getting more and more appealing to those who appreciate convenient travel in complete comfort. So popular, in fact, that the National Park Service has reported that, for the third year in a row, there were record-breaking numbers of visitors to the parks in 2016, totaling approximately 325 million travelers. The Grand Canyon National Park was host to just under 6 million people, and Yellowstone National Park saw 4.3 million people … all in the first 11 months of 2016! Those numbers are indicative of the rest of the national parks, as well.</p>
<p>While it’s a good thing that more and more people are appreciating the beautiful parks and government-owned land in America, it does equate to more congestion, which could lead to frustration for those who didn’t reserve a spot in the parks’ campgrounds early. This, however, is not a problem for those who are traveling in a Cruise America recreational vehicle. Each of our units is completely self-sustainable, so there is virtually no limit to the number of places you can park your motorhome.</p>
<p>It’s called boondocking; otherwise referred to as “dry,” “wild,” “off-the-cord” or “dispersed” camping, which simply means that you utilize the built-in conveniences in your RV, rather than hooking up to the electrical and water supplies typically provided by established RV parks or designated campgrounds.</p>
<p>Some of the areas that welcome this wild form of camping at no charge, or minimal fees, are managed by:</p>
<p>United States Forest Service (USFS)<br/> Bureau of Land Management (BLM)<br/>
National Grasslands<br/>
US Fish &amp; Wildlife Service (FWS)<br/>
Army Corp of Engineers (USACE)<br/>
Bureau of Reclamation<br/>
State Parks<br/>
State-Owned land</p>
<p>Dry camping in these areas is not only legal, but encouraged (as long as you stay in the dispersed camping areas). As a general rule, camping boondock-style is permitted anywhere on federal public lands within a specified distance of any established road, unless otherwise restricted. This means that the list of possibilities is enormous.</p>
<p>Boondockers are encouraged to set up camp in previously used campsites, or areas that will not be damaged by your RV. Remember that the less of a carbon footprint you leave, the more nature can offer to you, and those arriving behind you.</p>
<p>There have been recent updates to the US Forest Service dispersed camping rules, and each forest may have different requirements, so as a safety, check with your specific destination to find out what their guidelines are. The USFS offers complimentary Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) that indicate just where dispersed camping is restricted, and which roads are open for travel. In addition to public lands, there are many private landowners that don’t mind RVers parking on their property; sometimes for a fee, but sometimes it’s free. Nevertheless, you must ALWAYS get permission before making an assumption.</p>
<p>One of the advantages to camping in one of our Cruise America class C motorhomes is that it’s not large and cumbersome, and can navigate most backwoods areas with ease. When you have a large 5th wheel or class A motorhome, boondocking is a little more difficult, but with practice, you can get the hang of it.</p>
<p>There are campground locater websites that are designated to help you find ideal areas to boondock, such as Campendium.com, Boondocking.org, boondockerswelcome.com and TheGoodLuckDuck.com. To find pages and pages of helpful information, just type in the words “boondock camping sites” and you’ll be amazed at the number of helpful resources that pop up.</p>
<p>If you see that some of the parks and campgrounds in our nation are filled up, don’t let that discourage you. Cut the cord and do some boondocking; it’s fun and easy when you’re in an RV, and there is NEVER a lack of space! You may encounter some full RV parks, but don’t ever let that discourage you from setting out on your RV adventure and having fun … possibly MORE fun when you boondock!</p>An Alternative to RV Parkstag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2017-02-09:2150408:BlogPost:990052017-02-09T15:30:00.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>There are a host of reasons why vacationing in a motorhome is nothing less than stupendous, but one of the greatest things about it is the versatility and spontaneity that the RV lifestyle offers. As an example, when you’re traveling in a recreation vehicle from Cruise America, you have the option of staying wherever you so desire (so long as it’s legal)! There is no rule that mandates you stay in a designated RV park. In fact, some of the most beautiful places to camp are anything but…</p>
<p>There are a host of reasons why vacationing in a motorhome is nothing less than stupendous, but one of the greatest things about it is the versatility and spontaneity that the RV lifestyle offers. As an example, when you’re traveling in a recreation vehicle from Cruise America, you have the option of staying wherever you so desire (so long as it’s legal)! There is no rule that mandates you stay in a designated RV park. In fact, some of the most beautiful places to camp are anything but “designated.” Now that’s not to say that RV parks are less enjoyable; it is simply a matter of taste.</p>
<p>There are those who enjoy the convenience of being in an RV park along with several other travelers. They prefer the amenities that some parks offer, such as water and power hookups, showers, restrooms, playgrounds for the kiddos, convenience markets and even cable television hookups. Another perk for staying in a park is that you can visit with other travelers and swap stories and experiences. But there is another way to camp, and some folks like it even more than staying in a park; it’s called boondocking.</p>
<p>Boondock camping, otherwise referred to as “wild” or “dry” camping, allows you the freedom to camp in the beautiful public lands of our country without neighbors impeding on your seclusion. The solitude of staying where there are no other humans within miles lends a sense of adventure. What’s even greater is the fact that each of our class C motorhomes is completely self-sufficient, making it possible for you to live comfortably without staying in an established RV park. There are a few adaptations to make when camping like this, but they are minor, and well worth it.</p>
<p>Here are a few suggestions and tips drawn from the experience of other boondockers:</p>
<p>Power</p>
Because of the fact that you won’t be hooked up to an endless power supply, you will depend on the onboard batteries for electricity. Obviously, you won’t last on battery power alone, which is why each of our class C motorhome units is equipped with a generator to recharge the power supply as needed. That generator, however, consumes fuel, so being prudent and aware of your power usage is important.<br />
<br />
Note: The Truck Camper units available in some of our locations are not equipped with generators.<br />
<br />
If you own your RV, and if you’re a long-term boondocker, there may be a few modifications to make to your motorhome to enhance the power conservation and electrical output. These are things like upgrading the battery bank and incorporating solar power and inverters, which allow you to charge the batteries quietly, without fumes from fuel, and all while running your household appliances.<br />
<br />
There are a number of ways to conserve power while camping in the wild. Here are a few of them:<br />
<br />
Turn off any lights that aren’t in use—that includes the exterior lights of the RV<br />
Coffee makers use a substantial amount of power. Consider making your coffee by pouring boiling water over the coffee grounds through a filter.<br />
Keeping the volume lower on your television or stereo helps, as the louder they are, the more power they consume.<br />
Run your laptop computer off its own battery. They can be charged while you’re driving, using a power inverter. Because you’re doing this while traveling, there is no drain on your power supply.<br />
LED lights are great for conserving power, as they use very little electricity compared to other types of bulbs. Not all of your bulbs must be switched out, but changing out the ones that you use the most would be beneficial if you’re camping long term. If you want the kind of light that the incandescent bulbs cast, get LED lights that are in the Kelvin range of 2,700 to 3,200.<br />
<br />
<p>Water</p>
<p>While water is abundant in many regions, you won’t find a faucet in the middle of nowhere with which to fill your tanks. You still must be conservative to keep them from running dry. Here are a few suggestions for helping you go easy on the water you have stored in your RV:</p>
<p>One of the biggest culprits of high water usage is the shower. With a little practice, you can perfect the art of the “two-gallon shower.” In order to make every drop of water count while cleansing yourself, start with your hair and work your way down. Turn off the water while lathering up or shaving, then rinse quickly. It’s amazing how quick and thorough you can be when you’re making an effort to do so, and how long you can make your fresh water last with some conservation efforts.</p>
<p>Another big culprit in the water-usage department is the kitchen sink. If you can set a large bowl or pot of clean water beside the sink for washing, and then rinsing with just a small trickle of water, it will help you conserve water.</p>The Most Popular Outdoor Activitytag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2017-01-11:2150408:BlogPost:987122017-01-11T21:28:54.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>The most popular outdoor recreational activity in the United States is camping. In fact, it is estimated that in 2015, over 40 million happy campers took to the road, and the revenue of campgrounds and RV parks (employing over 45,000 workers) was estimated to be approximately 5.8 billion US dollars! Now that’s a lot of camping!</p>
<p>The fact that so many people love camping is a pretty good indicator that it must be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. It also indicates that it must not…</p>
<p>The most popular outdoor recreational activity in the United States is camping. In fact, it is estimated that in 2015, over 40 million happy campers took to the road, and the revenue of campgrounds and RV parks (employing over 45,000 workers) was estimated to be approximately 5.8 billion US dollars! Now that’s a lot of camping!</p>
<p>The fact that so many people love camping is a pretty good indicator that it must be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. It also indicates that it must not be very difficult to do, and that it must be relaxing and stress-free, as people keep going back for more.</p>
<p>While the numbers of people who love to go RVing is staggering, there are still those that don’t move forward with any camping plans because they aren’t familiar with the process; they’re intimidated. They’re not sure what kind of motorhome best suits them, they don’t know where to go, and they aren’t sure what to do once they get there. These are all legitimate concerns, but with a little planning, you’ll find that most of these questions practically answer themselves; especially when you deal with Cruise America.</p>
<p>When it comes to renting an RV from Cruise America, the process is completely easy, and there is not nearly as much to learn as you may be thinking. We employ a staff of travel experts that will walk you through each step of the way, from choosing which model would work best for your family, to familiarizing you with your RV, and the simple procedures that you’ll want to know when you get to your camping spot.</p>
<p>Our class C RVs come in different sizes to accommodate whatever number of travelers are in your group. Our compact models work just right for up to three people, while the large model sleeps up to seven. The intermediary model, which we call our “standard” size, is just right for up to five people. Most RVers will benefit from doing some planning before deciding on a size.</p>
<p>As far as determining where to go; when you’re in an RV, the entire nation is your oyster! You can travel anywhere you desire, and for as long as your schedule allows. It’s like having an up-close view to Mother Nature at her finest. Most every attraction throughout this country of ours has RV parks nearby, if not on site.</p>
<p>If you are more of a “solitary” kind of traveler, you needn’t stay in an RV park; you can always camp boondock-style. That means that you choose the spot you want to camp, no matter how “in-the-middle-of-nowhere” it is, and you don’t have water and electrical supplies to hook up to. That’s okay, because each of our RV rentals is completely self-sufficient! You generate your own power, your waste is stored in tanks and your fresh water supply is even heated. All of the amenities on your motorhome function using propane and generated power. The one caveat, however, is that you must be sure that it’s legal to park where you decide to park.</p>
<p>On the flip side, if you are of a social nature and love to visit with other campers, it’s tough to beat staying in a nice RV park, where there are travelers all around you with common interests and stories of the road. In addition, many of the nicer parks offer things like power, water, dump stations, restrooms, hot showers, barbecue grills, picnic accommodations, supply shops, swimming pools or lakes, fishing equipment for rent, outdoor activities, etc. There are dozens of websites that are dedicated to helping campers locate the best RV park for their needs, so hop online to see what’s out there.</p>
<p>When it boils down to it, it really doesn’t matter where you park your RV; just the fact that you are in a recreational vehicle means that you’re having a great time and making memories with the ones you love.</p>Lose the Crowd, Gain the Solitudetag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2017-01-11:2150408:BlogPost:985182017-01-11T21:19:50.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>Sharing information and helping out customers are two very important aspects of our customer service here at Cruise America. RVers can always use a little help as they come to love and enjoy the RVing lifestyle. From newbie to veteran, from part-time to travel addict, RV lovers find ways to maximize comfort and enjoyment using the many tools, accessories and opportunities provided by Cruise America.</p>
<p>Once you have selected an RV as your source for travel (and a good decision it was),…</p>
<p>Sharing information and helping out customers are two very important aspects of our customer service here at Cruise America. RVers can always use a little help as they come to love and enjoy the RVing lifestyle. From newbie to veteran, from part-time to travel addict, RV lovers find ways to maximize comfort and enjoyment using the many tools, accessories and opportunities provided by Cruise America.</p>
<p>Once you have selected an RV as your source for travel (and a good decision it was), you’d better come up with a plan for your journey. One question to address is whether or not you are going to stay in RV parks along the way, or if you’d rather do some dry camping, otherwise known as “boondocking.” This refers to camping without hookups, and most of the time it’s done in the “boondocks,” or undeveloped areas, although Wal-Mart parking lots aren’t exactly in the middle of nowhere!</p>
<p>RV travelers who are really looking to get away from the crowd often prefer boondocking. It’s for those who want to see what many of the others miss. Some sites will be peaceful, quiet and solitary, and most of them will offer the opportunity to explore the more remote areas. It’s the travelers that prefer a sense of community and social environment that prefer setting up camp in an RV park with amenities and hookups.</p>
<p>Experienced RV boondockers recommend frequenting any number of popular forums and/or websites that are dedicated exclusively to this style of camping. They provide RVers with the information they need to discover the most remote and amazing areas to park your RV for the night.</p>
<p>Diligent searching can result in fantastic adventures and amazing sights and sounds that will generate unique memories. Looking for great sites to set up camp can become yet another item in the long list of those activities that accent the RV lifestyle so well, such as geocaching, rock climbing, metal detection, hiking, photography, etc. Spending some time planning (and enjoying the planning process nearly as much as actually following through on the plans) is a great way to assure your adventure to be a success.</p>
<p>If you decide to do some boondocking, you may want to consider looking into groups dedicated to the hobby, like BoondockersWelcome.com. This particular group caters specifically to boondocking aficionados. Members share all kinds of information that they have each gleaned from their online researching and personal experiences. It increases the amount of information prospective boondockers have at their disposal, while decreasing the amount of time they have to dedicate to gather up the info and go through it in preparation for a great trip.</p>
<p>Enjoying the research aspect of boondocking will actually greatly increase the RVer’s ability to succeed in their chosen hobby, as many great boondocking RV campsites aren’t visible to the eye from the road. Unless you know where they are, you’ll fly right by them and never know what’s been missed! Spending time exploring online can result in the discovery of some great “off the beaten track” sites and info that will take the boondocking hobby to the next level.</p>
<p>Whether boondocking in the wild, or staying in an RV resort with all the bells and whistles, you’re sure to love each and every experience you enjoy in a Cruise America rental RV.</p>New Year’s Day in Pasadenatag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-12-14:2150408:BlogPost:979242016-12-14T22:30:41.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>There are all kinds of imaginative places to go and exciting things to do and see in this great nation of ours. When it comes to RV travel, the sky is the limit … literally! Not only are there beautiful sights to see, but there are so many special events that take place year after year … and as convenient and easy as it is to rent a Cruise America RV, you can set your sights on any of these events you want, and head out – the RV travel world is your oyster! You could do nothing but attend…</p>
<p>There are all kinds of imaginative places to go and exciting things to do and see in this great nation of ours. When it comes to RV travel, the sky is the limit … literally! Not only are there beautiful sights to see, but there are so many special events that take place year after year … and as convenient and easy as it is to rent a Cruise America RV, you can set your sights on any of these events you want, and head out – the RV travel world is your oyster! You could do nothing but attend events across the country, and never run out of things to do.</p>
<p>The Annual Tournament of Roses Parade is held each year in Pasadena, California. It’s affectionately known to many as “America’s New Year’s Celebration” because it takes place on New Year’s Day. It’s held in conjunction with the Rose Bowl – the “Granddaddy of Them All” when it comes to inter-collegiate football bowl games. The parade attracts almost a million visitors each year, and that doesn’t include the masses that watch it on TV! It requires approximately 80,000 hours of combined manpower each year, supplied by the over 900 members of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. They are easily picked out of the crowd, as they all wear the distinctive white uniforms. For this reason, they have been dubbed as “White Suiters.”</p>
<p>The Tournament of Roses has a history of humble beginnings. It started in 1890, when some of the members of the Valley Hunt Club wanted to find a way to show off the amazing weather of the place they recently settled into, now known as Pasadena. It was basically a procession of horse-drawn carriages that were adorned with several varieties of flowers, along with games in the town square. Today, however, the parade has grown to immense proportions. It’s a jaw-dropping experience that features gorgeous, florally-decorated floats, award-winning marching bands, equestrian shows and, of course, the Rose Bowl Football game.</p>
<p>You can watch the two-hour parade it as it follows a route along Colorado Boulevard, or if you’d rather, you can purchase tickets to watch it comfortably from the grandstands. It takes place each year on New Year’s Day. That is, unless the holiday falls on a Sunday, then the festivities take place on the following day, January 2nd. You see, there is a “Never on Sunday” tradition that started in 1893. The parade members didn’t want to startle the horses that were hitched up outside the church buildings, for fear that it would disturb the worship ceremonies going on inside. While there are no longer worries of scaring horses, the tradition has remained alive.</p>
<p>One of the best things about attending the parade is that there is a large number of RV parks in the area, so you can take the whole family and join in on the festivities at your convenience. Because of the popularity of the event, it is highly suggested to make your arrangements and reservations in advance.</p>
<p>This is just one of millions of great events that occur every year throughout the U.S. There is no way to get to them all, but it would certainly be a worthy goal … especially in the comfort of your Cruise America rental RV.</p>Time for Some Sun?tag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-12-14:2150408:BlogPost:979222016-12-14T22:25:18.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>Fall is disappearing, and winter is waiting in the wings. It may be time to pack up your Cruise America rental RV and head somewhere out of the cold and snow. Since the kids are probably going to be taking a holiday break from school, now might be the perfect time to escape.</p>
<p>If you live in a bone-chillingly frigid environment during the cold months, it may be nice to find somewhere packed with family fun, but where the climate stays on the mild side. There are many online resources…</p>
<p>Fall is disappearing, and winter is waiting in the wings. It may be time to pack up your Cruise America rental RV and head somewhere out of the cold and snow. Since the kids are probably going to be taking a holiday break from school, now might be the perfect time to escape.</p>
<p>If you live in a bone-chillingly frigid environment during the cold months, it may be nice to find somewhere packed with family fun, but where the climate stays on the mild side. There are many online resources available to help you find the right RV park for your cold-weather escape, but we have a few ideas as well. For instance, the San Diego area provides some nice RV parks that are on the beach (or close to the beach) that could be just exactly what you're hoping for. Here are a few different places to park your motorhome while you take the relaxing time to thaw out:</p>
<p>Paradise by the Sea – This resort is one of the highest-rated RV parks on the California coast, and boasts the title of “Southern California’s Only Beach RV Resort.” The resort-style pool and hot tub are just a couple of the great amenities that are offered at this San Diego North Shore beachside RV park. There are coin-operated washers and dryers available, as well as free HD cable TV and Wi-Fi. The beach entrance is easily accessed and the climate in San Diego is wonderful year-round. There are fire rings and patio furniture that can be enjoyed by travelers on those cool nights. The winter rates run from $65-90 a night (with discounts for longer stays), and reservations can be made online.</p>
<p>Mission Bay RV Resort – This beautiful, pet-friendly RV park is surrounded by the waters and action of Mission Bay in San Diego. It is a facility with 24-hour security. There are full hookups and 50 RV sites. Cable TV and Wi-Fi is provided, as well. There are numerous amenities, including bathhouses, laundry rooms and a snack shack. The beaches of the bay are easily reachable from the park. There is even a boat ramp and Jet Ski rentals close by. Reservations can be made online and rates range between $60-$105 a night.</p>
<p>Campland on the Bay – Campland is conveniently located on the shores of Mission Bay. It opened up in 1969, and is considered part of the Mission Bay Park. The campground is so close to SeaWorld that you can watch their fireworks display each night, right from your site. There are all kinds of great amenities, including swimming pools, Jacuzzis, bathrooms and showers, a marina, bike and Jet Ski rentals, and more. In addition to these attractive features, Campland overlooks the Kendall Frost Wildlife Preserve. This is a great place for birding enthusiast to see all kinds of egrets, black-crowned night herons and other birds. The prices vary for different spots in the park, as well as what time of the year you are there. The winter rates run from $45 – 323, depending on the type of site you want.</p>
<p>These are just a few of the many RV parks in the San Diego area. No matter where you choose to park your rental RV, you’ll be close to the beach, which is a big deal for most coastal campers.</p>
<p>There are beautiful RV parks all over the country that are enjoyable, no matter what time you go there! Be sure to look online for other parks, special promotions and locations before you set out for your sunny getaway.</p>Life Hacks for the RV Travelertag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-11-30:2150408:BlogPost:977182016-11-30T16:30:00.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>As amazing as RV travel is, there can be a few “speedbumps” along the way, unless you happen to know the trick to avoiding them. Here are a few easy remedies that we like to refer to as “RV Hacks.” Take a look to see if these ideas might help you:</p>
<p>-Cruise America rental RVs come with a kitchen, along with plenty of storage space. But if you’ve ever experienced broken wine or juice glasses after a bumpy ride, try slipping them into “koozies” (foam-insulated can and bottle holders)…</p>
<p>As amazing as RV travel is, there can be a few “speedbumps” along the way, unless you happen to know the trick to avoiding them. Here are a few easy remedies that we like to refer to as “RV Hacks.” Take a look to see if these ideas might help you:</p>
<p>-Cruise America rental RVs come with a kitchen, along with plenty of storage space. But if you’ve ever experienced broken wine or juice glasses after a bumpy ride, try slipping them into “koozies” (foam-insulated can and bottle holders) before loading them into the cabinets. This prevents them from knocking together and chipping or breaking. On a similar note, in order to help prevent broken wine bottles, slip them into plastic mesh sleeves before traveling. This lessens the impact, and prevents glass-to-glass contact.</p>
<p>-In order to save a little space, which is always precious when traveling, use a collapsible laundry hamper as a waste basket when traveling. When you aren’t using them, they can be collapsed flat and easily stored.</p>
<p>-Keep a length of clothesline, along with some clothespins. This comes in very handy when you do laundry, and need a place to hang the wet clothes. The line can easily be tied between two trees, or anywhere you can find to tie it up. When your clothespins aren’t holding clothes to the line, you can use them as chip clips, securing trash bags or any other creative use you can come up with.</p>
<p>-Place a magnetic dry erase board on the refrigerator, or other location. Not only can you maintain packing and grocery lists on the board, you can also use it for emergency info. When you pull into a campground, be sure to get the name of the campground, the address, the site number and the phone number and write it all on the board. This way, in the event that you need to call the fire department, paramedics or police during the night, you have the information they will need right at your fingertips.</p>
<p>--While camping, the need to wash your hands arises frequently. However, you may not want to keep dirtying up the bathroom or kitchen sink. Just take an old pair of pantyhose and drop a bar of hand soap into one of the legs. Tie the pantyhose to the site’s water spigot and let it hang. You can wash and rinse your hands without even removing the soap. Plus, you always know right where it is!</p>
<p>-You will find that by transferring all of your dry foods (cereal, flour, sugar, coffee, etc.) into square plastic containers rather than round ones, you will greatly increase your storage capacity. This is because much less space is needed for square items that can butt up against each other.</p>
<p>-When you give the kiddos drinks from regular drinking glasses, it’s easy for them to tip and spill … especially when you’re traveling. To remedy this, just stretch press n’ seal plastic wrap over the top of the glass and push a straw through the middle, and voilà … you have a spill resistant vessel!</p>
<p>-If you purchase a few shower caddies with suction cups that stick to glass, they make great holders for pens, pencils, crayons, games, etc. for the kids while traveling. Just push them onto the windows next to where the kiddos are sitting.</p>
<p>-Lastly, you can keep pesky picnic-loving flies away by wiping down tables, counters and chairs with a 50/50 solution of Pine-Sol and water. Flies really hate it!</p>
<p>Whether you use RV hacks or not, you are sure to have a blast in your Cruise America rental RV. It is the greatest way to create family memories that will last a lifetime.</p>RV Humor for the Roadtag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-11-30:2150408:BlogPost:976882016-11-30T16:30:00.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>Cruise America is all business when it comes to setting you up and making you comfortable in one of our class C motorhomes. But we also love to laugh, so we thought we’d share a little RV humor with you … enjoy!</p>
<p><b>Speedy Senior Citizen</b></p>
<p>A police officer pulled over an elderly woman who was driving a Cruise America rental RV.</p>
<p>Policeman: “Ma’am, you are driving mighty slow for being out here on the highway. The speed limit is 65 MPH.”</p>
<p>Lady: “Officer, I have seen…</p>
<p>Cruise America is all business when it comes to setting you up and making you comfortable in one of our class C motorhomes. But we also love to laugh, so we thought we’d share a little RV humor with you … enjoy!</p>
<p><b>Speedy Senior Citizen</b></p>
<p>A police officer pulled over an elderly woman who was driving a Cruise America rental RV.</p>
<p>Policeman: “Ma’am, you are driving mighty slow for being out here on the highway. The speed limit is 65 MPH.”</p>
<p>Lady: “Officer, I have seen several signs that said 22, not 65.”</p>
<p>Policeman: “Ma’am, that’s not the speed limit, that’s the name of the highway you’re on.”</p>
<p>Lady: “Oh dear, silly me! Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be more careful from now on.”</p>
<p>Just then the cop looked into the RV and noticed that there were five other elderly ladies in the RV … all of them were shaking like leaves, looking scared and nervous.</p>
<p>Policeman: “Ma’am, why do your passengers look so scared?”</p>
<p>Lady: “Oh, we just got off Highway 119!”</p>
<p><b>Happy Birthday, Sucker!</b></p>
<p>A couple was celebrating their 60th birthdays by taking a trip in a Cruise America rental RV. They were both born in the same month, in the same year. During their trip to the beach, they stumbled across a magical lamp in the sand. When they opened it, a Genie popped out and told them that he would grant them each one wish.</p>
<p>The wife was so excited, and blurted out, “Since I have traveled extensively in the U.S., I’d like to visit Europe.” The genie waved his arm and two airline tickets appeared in her hand.</p>
<p>It was then the husband’s turn. He thought for a minute, then said with a scheming look, “I’d love to have a woman 30 years younger than me.” The genie waved his arm, and poof, the man turned 90!</p>
<p><b>Puppy Love</b></p>
<p>A man was walking through the RV park when he saw a dog stand up and start growling. He had been sitting next to a man reading in a lawn chair next to his Cruise America RV.</p>
<p>“Excuse me,” said the man walking, “Does your dog bite?”</p>
<p>The man looked over his newspaper and said, “Nope, my dog is as gentle as a kitten.”</p>
<p>The man continued walking by the site, when the dog jumped up and lunged, grabbing a hunk of his leg in his teeth. Once he pulled his leg out of the dog’s mouth, he yelled at the relaxed camper, “I thought you said your dog doesn’t bite.”</p>
<p>The relaxed RVer said, “That ain’t my dog.”</p>
<p><b>Pregnant No More!</b></p>
<p>A young, pregnant RVer was involved in a serious traffic accident. Because she was in a sturdy Cruise America RV, she survived, but was in a coma. When she came to, she was in the hospital, and no longer pregnant.</p>
<p>She asked the doctor what happened, and he said, “You had twins … a boy and a girl. They are healthy and happy, and your brother named them for you.”</p>
<p>The perplexed new mother said, “My brother? Oh no, he is not all there, if you know what I mean! What did he name them?”</p>
<p>The doctor said, “Well, he named the girl Denise.”</p>
<p>“Oh,” said the mother, “I guess that’s not so bad. What did he name the boy?”</p>
<p>“Denephew,” replied the doctor!</p>
<p><b>Romance Never Gets Old</b></p>
<p>An elderly RVing couple were sitting cozily in their Cruise America RV, when the woman started to feel affectionate. She said to her husband, “Remember when you used to sit so close to me?” The husband moved over and sat close to her.</p>
<p>The woman then asked, “Do you remember when you would hold me tight?” The husband wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.</p>
<p>She continued, “Do you remember when you used to kiss me and nibble on my ear?” With that, the husband got up and walked out of the room.</p>
<p>“Where are you going, dear?” asked the woman. “Well,” he said, “If I’m gonna be nibblin’ on your ear, I’ve got to get my teeth!”</p>
<p>The holiday season is upon us, and here at Cruise America, we want to remind you that as you prepare for the year ahead, don’t forget to set time aside for smiles and laughter … it really is the best medicine!</p>Fall Leaves are Falling in Colorado!tag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-10-17:2150408:BlogPost:975192016-10-17T20:03:09.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>Colorado is a beautiful region whose scenery changes drastically with every season that rolls around. Even the state’s name connotes “color.” The word “colorado” means “red-colored” in Spanish. This description is not only apropos for the landscape, but for the menagerie of hues that make an appearance each fall as the fall leaves began to turn their beautiful yellows, golds and reds.</p>
<p>One of the best ways to view the annual spectacular show of colors offered by our nation’s 38th…</p>
<p>Colorado is a beautiful region whose scenery changes drastically with every season that rolls around. Even the state’s name connotes “color.” The word “colorado” means “red-colored” in Spanish. This description is not only apropos for the landscape, but for the menagerie of hues that make an appearance each fall as the fall leaves began to turn their beautiful yellows, golds and reds.</p>
<p>One of the best ways to view the annual spectacular show of colors offered by our nation’s 38th state, is to do it in a rental RV from Cruise America. Not only will you travel in complete comfort, you’ll get a 50-yardline view of Mother Nature at her finest.</p>
<p>Here are some ideas for some great road trips through the state of Colorado. They are well-suited for witnessing the spectacular fall show of color and nature. This show offers September and October performances, starring the state’s signature gold Aspen trees.</p>
<p>Trail Ridge Road – This road is the highest continuous-paved road in the entire nation. It meanders through the Rocky Mountain National Park, and stretches from Estes Park (in the east part) to Grand Lake (in the west part). There are more than eight miles of the road that hover over 11,000 feet in altitude, reaching its maximum elevation of 12,183 feet! This road offers leaf admirers and photographers alike, a generous view of nature as it makes the spectacular transition from summer to fall. There are also guided hikes and special tours throughout the park that are offered by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy.</p>
<p>Kebler Pass – This is an unpaved area, but it is considered to be a favorite amongst the photog crowd. It offers breathtaking views of color in the fall, and is home to the largest aspen grove in the country. The pass is in Gunnison, Colorado. Ohio Creek Road is a good place to start, as it goes right by some very unique natural features, such as the old, abandoned site of Castleton and the spires of “The Castles.” These spires are remnants of the mud and volcanic ash that spewed forth from the West Elk Volcano, which occurred nearly 30 million years ago.</p>
<p>San Juan Skyway – In the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, there is an astounding 236-mile loop of road called the San Juan Skyway. This is an ideal place to see the leaves making their transition from green to beautiful. There is even a 70-mile stretch of road that is so beautiful, it’s known as the “Million Dollar Highway.” Okay, that might not be the reason it was named that, but it does hold true! The picturesque byway eventually loops to the south and takes you to Mesa Verde National Park, where you can see the world-renowned cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloan people. If you are a white-knuckle driver, you should be aware that many parts of the Million Dollar Highway have sheer drop-offs that have no guardrails. It may be a good idea to check with the Colorado Department of Transportation (303) 639-1111 ahead of time for road conditions.</p>
<p>If you want to step out of the motorhome and hop onto a train, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad will take you on a scenic ride deep into the San Juan Mountains via their old steam locomotive. It is a trip you will never forget!</p>
<p>Maroon Bells – These iconic “bells” are comprised of two mountains that rise 14,000 feet into the air. The Maroon Bells are nestled in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness in the 2.3-million-acre White River National Forest. The brilliant fall-colored trees offer a hypnotizing view of the beautiful array of different hues. In addition to the incredible beauty, there are several hiking trails that allow you a workout, leading up to the bases of the mountains, providing spectacular views. You can get there in your RV, however there are buses that run daily from the middle of June through Labor Day, and on weekends from Labor Day through early October.</p>
<p>Western Slope – The world’s largest flat-top mountain, the Grand Mesa, is nestled in Colorado’s wine country in the Western Slope region of the Rocky Mountain State. Along with a variety of delicious wines, fall brings with it a whole barrel-full of autumn color. Traveling along the Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway you will enjoy the scrub oaks contrasting with the golden shimmering aspens to create a color-coordinated feast for your eyes.</p>
<p>Buffalo Pass – Just west of Steamboat Springs is a dirt road that is lined with rows and rows of glowing aspen groves. The eight-mile pass winds up toward Summit Lake and the Continental Divide. It offers a jaw dropping view of the foliage in the area. There is a hike that the locals highly recommend, especially as the fall colors come to life. It’s called the Zirkle Wilderness Area’s Three Island Lake Trail. This route takes energetic hikers through high meadows and coniferous forests, passing glacial lakes and vistas along the way. It is a 6.1-mile roundtrip, and is considered to be moderate in difficulty.</p>
<p>La Veta Pass – Just west of the town of La Veta is La Veta Pass on US Route 160. It’s in southern Colorado, and is known as one of the most scenic “fall” drives in the entire state. It peaks at an altitude of a rocketing 9,400 feet. This scenic roadway paints a picture of gold aspens contrasting with the dark green pine trees that line the pass. The background of the colorful painting is made up of the majestic Spanish Peaks and Sangre de Cristo Mountains.</p>
<p>Gondola Ride – One of the most popular ways to view the amazing fall colors of Telluride is to take the free gondola. That’s right, the cost is a big nothing! The aerial views that riders are treated to include the town of Telluride, along with its box canyon and brightly colored valleys. In addition, if you happen to be afraid of heights, or if you have more energy than you know what to do with, you can always take one of the many trailheads that are located right in town. One of the most popular trails amongst the locals is the Jud Wiebe Trail. This is a three-mile loop that winds through large groves of colorful aspen. Oh, and as a bonus, you’ll pass right by the Comet Falls, which just adds to the beauty.</p>
<p>These are just a few suggestions. We could never list them all, as everywhere you look in this state, you’ll see an autumn fantasy. And best of all, you’ll be doing all of this nature gazing in one of our Cruise America class C RVs!</p>Kid-Friendly Cooking in an RVtag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-10-17:2150408:BlogPost:975172016-10-17T19:55:02.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>What is it about RV cooking that produces meals that taste so much better than anything you could ever get at a restaurant? Is it the fact that you’re in the wilderness? Or maybe it’s the enticing smell of the outdoor grill emitting its tempting aromas. At Cruise America, we believe that the food made in an RV tastes so good because it’s main ingredient is always love.</p>
<p>There are all kinds of amazing meals that you can make while camping in one of our Cruise America rental RVs. In…</p>
<p>What is it about RV cooking that produces meals that taste so much better than anything you could ever get at a restaurant? Is it the fact that you’re in the wilderness? Or maybe it’s the enticing smell of the outdoor grill emitting its tempting aromas. At Cruise America, we believe that the food made in an RV tastes so good because it’s main ingredient is always love.</p>
<p>There are all kinds of amazing meals that you can make while camping in one of our Cruise America rental RVs. In fact, you can even prepare meals that the kids will love! Here is one recipe that is not only a kid-friendly meal, but also an adult favorite, as well:</p>
<p>Mac &amp; Cheese On the Grill</p>
<p>What kid could ever say no to macaroni and cheese? In fact, what grownups can say no to this delectable dish? It’s a favorite amongst campers, young and old. Here’s what you will need to prepare this winning recipe, teaming up your RV kitchen and the outdoor grill at your campsite:</p>
<p>1 lb. elbow macaroni<br/> ½ stick salted butter<br/>
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour<br/>
1 ½ cups fat-free milk<br/>
½ cup heavy cream<br/>
1 cup grated Asiago cheese<br/>
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese<br/>
½ cup Blue cheese<br/>
½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano<br/>
1 ½ cups yellow sharp Cheddar<br/>
½ lb. crispy cooked peppered bacon<br/>
½ teaspoon kosher salt<br/>
½ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper<br/>
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper<br/>
¼ cup seasoned panko</p>
<p>Now that’s a lot of cheese! But stand by, because good flavors are about to hop off your grill and explode in your mouth. Here’s the next step …</p>
<p>Get the grill going, whether charcoal or gas, and preheat it to 350° (F). Next, step back into your motorhome and boil the elbow macaroni until it’s cooked to perfection, then drain and set aside. Now, in a large saucepan (over medium heat) melt the butter, then whisk in the flour for about a minute to thicken it up. Add 1 cup of non-fat milk and whisk it in as well. Here is where you start adding that glorious cheese, one kind at a time, thoroughly whisking each one into the mix. If the sauce starts to become too thick, just add the remaining ½ cup of milk.</p>
<p>Once all of the cheeses are blended in, add the salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper and heavy cream. Now add the macaroni to the mixture and stir things up again. Add the cooked bacon and yep, you guessed it, stir it in as well. When everything is combined, pour it all into a cast iron 9” x 13” rectangle casserole dish.</p>
<p>Now for the coup de grâce: Sprinkle the top with the panko and an additional ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Place the dish on the grill for 12 minutes, and voilà, you have a meal that no kid (or adult) can resist! Oh, and be sure to let this amazing macaroni masterpiece rest off of the grill for a few minutes before serving it.</p>
<p>This is just one of thousands of tasty dishes you can prepare while enjoying time with your family in the wilderness. When it boils down to it, as long as you’re RV camping and spending time with those you love, you can’t go wrong, no matter what you cook!</p>Common Sins of RV Barbequing – Continuedtag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-09-12:2150408:BlogPost:970392016-09-12T17:01:57.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>Last month we covered six of the twelve most common grilling mistakes (or mis-steaks) that outdoor chefs tend to make while barbequing on their camping excursions. They were:</p>
<p>Sin #1 – Using Lighter Fluid or Match Light Briquettes <br></br> Sin #2 – Spreading the Coals Before They Are Completely Gray<br></br> Sin #3 – Not Preheating the Grill<br></br>
Sin #4 – Not Cleaning the Grill<br></br>
Sin #5 – Cooking Over Too Much Direct Heat<br></br>
Sin #6 – Lifting the Lid Too Much</p>
<p>As promised, here is…</p>
<p>Last month we covered six of the twelve most common grilling mistakes (or mis-steaks) that outdoor chefs tend to make while barbequing on their camping excursions. They were:</p>
<p>Sin #1 – Using Lighter Fluid or Match Light Briquettes <br/> Sin #2 – Spreading the Coals Before They Are Completely Gray<br/>
Sin #3 – Not Preheating the Grill<br/>
Sin #4 – Not Cleaning the Grill<br/>
Sin #5 – Cooking Over Too Much Direct Heat<br/>
Sin #6 – Lifting the Lid Too Much</p>
<p>As promised, here is the continuation of the list:</p>
<p>Sin #7 – Great Looking Flames Don’t Equate to Great Tasting Meat</p>
<p>The Issue – There is this school of thought that makes us think that since we are cooking over flame, it must be good to let the fire lick the meat that we’re preparing. You know, give it that “charred” flame broiled flavor. But the truth of the matter is that when the flames completely engulf your meat, it can leave nasty-tasting, sooty deposits on the food that will eventually end up in your mouth. There is nothing wrong with occasional flare-ups, but your steaks should not be continually licked by the flames … the only thing that should be “licking” the food is your tongue!</p>
<p>The Solution – There are three components needed to create fire: fuel, energy and oxygen. When your fire starts to flare up, it’s usually caused by fat dripping from the meat down to the hot coals, which gives the fire fuel to burn. You can slow this down by trimming some of the excess fat off the meat, but truthfully, a well-marbled steak or a juicy hamburger should contain fat, so you don’t want to completely curtail the fat dripping.</p>
<p>The best way to manage a flare-up is to simply move the meat to a cooler part of the grill until the flames subside, then move it back to its original spot. However, if your grill is too crowded to move things around, there are a couple of other methods. You can squirt the flames with water from a spray bottle, but that tends to create little mushroom clouds of soot, which gets all over the meat. It can also spread the fat around on the coals, which will lead to more flare-ups. But remember how oxygen is required for a flame to burn? If you discard the spray bottle and simply shut the lid and the vents in your barbeque grill, you will deprive the fire of oxygen, and the flames will subside.</p>
<p>Sin #8 – Thinking That the Vents Are Just for Decoration</p>
<p>The Issue – We tend to think that the vents on our grill are pretty cool-looking, but we also tend to ignore them. After all, what possible effect could those little things have on a man-size fire?</p>
<p>The Solution – The position of the vents has a major effect on the combustion of the coals. Too much oxygen and flare-ups occur, inducing flames that will char the outside of your steaks, burgers, hot dogs, chicken, etc. If there is not enough oxygen flow, the coals will choke themselves to an extinguished state. Those vents, both lower and upper, are supposed to be used to control the temperature of the grill. If you are cooking chicken, ribs or brisket, for example, they are best prepared by cooking them “low and slow” over indirect heat. This is a good time to close the vents, keeping the flames at bay. If you’re grilling steaks or burgers, you may want to sear the outside of them, so open up the vents and let the flames flourish … but don’t let them lick the meat and char your masterpiece.</p>
<p>Positioning the bottom and top vents (if you have both) properly can make a big difference. There are those that prefer to position the vents with the lower vent on the opposite side of the food and the lid vents directly above the food to create a convection-type current inside. This distributes the hot air above and around the food more efficiently.</p>
<p>Sin #9 – Adding the Barbeque Sauce Too Early</p>
<p>The Issue – So many self-proclaimed grill masters figure that they will paint several layers of barbeque sauce onto the meat, letting each one cook-on to create a coating that will give the meat more flavor. But when you do this, the barbeque sauce begins to burn, and turns rather acrid before your meat is even cooked. You know you’ve blown it when your guests discretely try to scrape off the bitter, sooty crust before eating the meat.</p>
<p>The Solution – If you feel like the meat really needs sauce to compliment it, then go ahead and add it; but near the end of the cooking process. The fact of the matter is that barbeque sauce does very little penetrating, no matter how soon you apply it to the surface of the meat. By adding it towards the end (five minutes) you will still get just as much flavor, and you won’t end up with a sooty mess to scrape off.</p>
<p>Sin #10 – Cooking Too Many Things on the Grill at One Time</p>
<p>The Issue – Of course we would-be chefs like to have a grill that looks pretty, displaying all kinds of meats and veggies. We neatly line up the chicken, the steak, the bratwurst and the corn on the cob, until it looks like the cover of a cooking magazine. The problem with this is that not only does it take up all the room on your grill, it also creates problems with properly cooking each item. What happens is that the burgers and sausages end up overcooked, while the chicken ends up half-raw. The veggies are just along for the ride, and end up with a charcoal exterior.</p>
<p>The Solution – Unless you have a massive grill with separate cooking stations, you may want to consider cooking each food item separately, really nailing each one! Sausages and chicken require a slower, lower heat, while steaks and burgers need higher temps. If you have an upper shelf as part of your grill, the veggies can stay up there and they should be okay, so long as you remove them when they’re done. If you cook each item separately instead of trying to combine the entire array of meats on one grill simultaneously, you will have better success, and your guests will be much happier.</p>
<p>Sin #11 – Poking and Prodding your Meat Too Much</p>
<p>The Issue – So you think the way to tell if the meat is done is to poke it, then poke your thumb for a comparison. After all, it looks so professional. You have probably seen the routine; hold your forefinger to your thumb and poke the ball of your thumb with the other hand. That is what a rare steak should feel like. Hold your middle finger the same way and that is what “medium” feels like. And yes, the ring finger represents a well-done steak. That may be a very effective way to calculate the doneness of your meat, but that’s only if you cook for a living and have barbequed enough to fine-tune your poke test. If not, your steaks will probably end up either well-done, or raw.</p>
<p>The Solution – It would behoove you to forget about the poke test. People have different fingers, hands and feelings—not to mention calibration skills. Also, do all steaks feel the same, or are there variances there, too? Not to burst anyone’s bubble, but the ol’ poke method is just not that reliable … it’s too subjective. However, what is reliable is a meat thermometer. If you use one, you can say “adios” to undercooked and overcooked meat! It’s actually an exact science, so you can’t go wrong. Here are a few examples of proper temperatures for common meats to grill:</p>
<p>Steak – 145° (F)<br/> Pork Chops– 145° (F)<br/>
Burgers – 160° (F)<br/>
Poultry – 165° (F)</p>
<p>Sin #12 – Serving the Food Too Quickly</p>
<p>The Issue – Once the meat is cooked, you figure that it’s hot, your guests are hungry, so let’s eat NOW! Not only will you be serving meat that’s too hot to put into the mouths of your guests, the meat will release juices that will run all over the plates, rather than stay where they’re supposed to be to enhance the flavor of the meat.</p>
<p>The Solution – You’ve gone to all the trouble to prepare the meat properly; you may as well keep up the good work and serve the food when it’s at its peak of perfection. Let the meat rest for a few minutes once you remove it from the grill. This allows the juices to thicken and redistribute itself. If you like the meat to be hot and sizzling when you place it on the plates, then let the meat rest, then crank up the heat on your grill to as hot as you can, then place it on the grill for about 30 seconds on each side just before you serve it. This will give it a crisp, sizzling crust and make the inside juicy and tender.</p>
<p>These are just a few tips for you to improve your grilling skills. If you have been committing these barbeque sins, don’t fret too much; just repent and change your grilling habits. The truth is, if you are camping in a Cruise America rental RV and cooking outside, no matter what the condition of the meat is, you’re going enjoy it immensely!</p>Common Sins of RV Barbequing – Continuedtag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-09-12:2150408:BlogPost:970372016-09-12T17:01:56.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>Last month we covered six of the twelve most common grilling mistakes (or mis-steaks) that outdoor chefs tend to make while barbequing on their camping excursions. They were:</p>
<p>Sin #1 – Using Lighter Fluid or Match Light Briquettes <br></br> Sin #2 – Spreading the Coals Before They Are Completely Gray<br></br> Sin #3 – Not Preheating the Grill<br></br>
Sin #4 – Not Cleaning the Grill<br></br>
Sin #5 – Cooking Over Too Much Direct Heat<br></br>
Sin #6 – Lifting the Lid Too Much</p>
<p>As promised, here is…</p>
<p>Last month we covered six of the twelve most common grilling mistakes (or mis-steaks) that outdoor chefs tend to make while barbequing on their camping excursions. They were:</p>
<p>Sin #1 – Using Lighter Fluid or Match Light Briquettes <br/> Sin #2 – Spreading the Coals Before They Are Completely Gray<br/>
Sin #3 – Not Preheating the Grill<br/>
Sin #4 – Not Cleaning the Grill<br/>
Sin #5 – Cooking Over Too Much Direct Heat<br/>
Sin #6 – Lifting the Lid Too Much</p>
<p>As promised, here is the continuation of the list:</p>
<p>Sin #7 – Great Looking Flames Don’t Equate to Great Tasting Meat</p>
<p>The Issue – There is this school of thought that makes us think that since we are cooking over flame, it must be good to let the fire lick the meat that we’re preparing. You know, give it that “charred” flame broiled flavor. But the truth of the matter is that when the flames completely engulf your meat, it can leave nasty-tasting, sooty deposits on the food that will eventually end up in your mouth. There is nothing wrong with occasional flare-ups, but your steaks should not be continually licked by the flames … the only thing that should be “licking” the food is your tongue!</p>
<p>The Solution – There are three components needed to create fire: fuel, energy and oxygen. When your fire starts to flare up, it’s usually caused by fat dripping from the meat down to the hot coals, which gives the fire fuel to burn. You can slow this down by trimming some of the excess fat off the meat, but truthfully, a well-marbled steak or a juicy hamburger should contain fat, so you don’t want to completely curtail the fat dripping.</p>
<p>The best way to manage a flare-up is to simply move the meat to a cooler part of the grill until the flames subside, then move it back to its original spot. However, if your grill is too crowded to move things around, there are a couple of other methods. You can squirt the flames with water from a spray bottle, but that tends to create little mushroom clouds of soot, which gets all over the meat. It can also spread the fat around on the coals, which will lead to more flare-ups. But remember how oxygen is required for a flame to burn? If you discard the spray bottle and simply shut the lid and the vents in your barbeque grill, you will deprive the fire of oxygen, and the flames will subside.</p>
<p>Sin #8 – Thinking That the Vents Are Just for Decoration</p>
<p>The Issue – We tend to think that the vents on our grill are pretty cool-looking, but we also tend to ignore them. After all, what possible effect could those little things have on a man-size fire?</p>
<p>The Solution – The position of the vents has a major effect on the combustion of the coals. Too much oxygen and flare-ups occur, inducing flames that will char the outside of your steaks, burgers, hot dogs, chicken, etc. If there is not enough oxygen flow, the coals will choke themselves to an extinguished state. Those vents, both lower and upper, are supposed to be used to control the temperature of the grill. If you are cooking chicken, ribs or brisket, for example, they are best prepared by cooking them “low and slow” over indirect heat. This is a good time to close the vents, keeping the flames at bay. If you’re grilling steaks or burgers, you may want to sear the outside of them, so open up the vents and let the flames flourish … but don’t let them lick the meat and char your masterpiece.</p>
<p>Positioning the bottom and top vents (if you have both) properly can make a big difference. There are those that prefer to position the vents with the lower vent on the opposite side of the food and the lid vents directly above the food to create a convection-type current inside. This distributes the hot air above and around the food more efficiently.</p>
<p>Sin #9 – Adding the Barbeque Sauce Too Early</p>
<p>The Issue – So many self-proclaimed grill masters figure that they will paint several layers of barbeque sauce onto the meat, letting each one cook-on to create a coating that will give the meat more flavor. But when you do this, the barbeque sauce begins to burn, and turns rather acrid before your meat is even cooked. You know you’ve blown it when your guests discretely try to scrape off the bitter, sooty crust before eating the meat.</p>
<p>The Solution – If you feel like the meat really needs sauce to compliment it, then go ahead and add it; but near the end of the cooking process. The fact of the matter is that barbeque sauce does very little penetrating, no matter how soon you apply it to the surface of the meat. By adding it towards the end (five minutes) you will still get just as much flavor, and you won’t end up with a sooty mess to scrape off.</p>
<p>Sin #10 – Cooking Too Many Things on the Grill at One Time</p>
<p>The Issue – Of course we would-be chefs like to have a grill that looks pretty, displaying all kinds of meats and veggies. We neatly line up the chicken, the steak, the bratwurst and the corn on the cob, until it looks like the cover of a cooking magazine. The problem with this is that not only does it take up all the room on your grill, it also creates problems with properly cooking each item. What happens is that the burgers and sausages end up overcooked, while the chicken ends up half-raw. The veggies are just along for the ride, and end up with a charcoal exterior.</p>
<p>The Solution – Unless you have a massive grill with separate cooking stations, you may want to consider cooking each food item separately, really nailing each one! Sausages and chicken require a slower, lower heat, while steaks and burgers need higher temps. If you have an upper shelf as part of your grill, the veggies can stay up there and they should be okay, so long as you remove them when they’re done. If you cook each item separately instead of trying to combine the entire array of meats on one grill simultaneously, you will have better success, and your guests will be much happier.</p>
<p>Sin #11 – Poking and Prodding your Meat Too Much</p>
<p>The Issue – So you think the way to tell if the meat is done is to poke it, then poke your thumb for a comparison. After all, it looks so professional. You have probably seen the routine; hold your forefinger to your thumb and poke the ball of your thumb with the other hand. That is what a rare steak should feel like. Hold your middle finger the same way and that is what “medium” feels like. And yes, the ring finger represents a well-done steak. That may be a very effective way to calculate the doneness of your meat, but that’s only if you cook for a living and have barbequed enough to fine-tune your poke test. If not, your steaks will probably end up either well-done, or raw.</p>
<p>The Solution – It would behoove you to forget about the poke test. People have different fingers, hands and feelings—not to mention calibration skills. Also, do all steaks feel the same, or are there variances there, too? Not to burst anyone’s bubble, but the ol’ poke method is just not that reliable … it’s too subjective. However, what is reliable is a meat thermometer. If you use one, you can say “adios” to undercooked and overcooked meat! It’s actually an exact science, so you can’t go wrong. Here are a few examples of proper temperatures for common meats to grill:</p>
<p>Steak – 145° (F)<br/> Pork Chops– 145° (F)<br/>
Burgers – 160° (F)<br/>
Poultry – 165° (F)</p>
<p>Sin #12 – Serving the Food Too Quickly</p>
<p>The Issue – Once the meat is cooked, you figure that it’s hot, your guests are hungry, so let’s eat NOW! Not only will you be serving meat that’s too hot to put into the mouths of your guests, the meat will release juices that will run all over the plates, rather than stay where they’re supposed to be to enhance the flavor of the meat.</p>
<p>The Solution – You’ve gone to all the trouble to prepare the meat properly; you may as well keep up the good work and serve the food when it’s at its peak of perfection. Let the meat rest for a few minutes once you remove it from the grill. This allows the juices to thicken and redistribute itself. If you like the meat to be hot and sizzling when you place it on the plates, then let the meat rest, then crank up the heat on your grill to as hot as you can, then place it on the grill for about 30 seconds on each side just before you serve it. This will give it a crisp, sizzling crust and make the inside juicy and tender.</p>
<p>These are just a few tips for you to improve your grilling skills. If you have been committing these barbeque sins, don’t fret too much; just repent and change your grilling habits. The truth is, if you are camping in a Cruise America rental RV and cooking outside, no matter what the condition of the meat is, you’re going enjoy it immensely!</p>Favorite Washington Road Tripstag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-09-12:2150408:BlogPost:971052016-09-12T16:30:00.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>If packing up the RV and hitting the open road sounds as enjoyable to you as it does to the majority of the human population, we’ve got some great news. Cruise America has a rental RV that is just the right size for your family or traveling party! We’ve also got a lot of travel ideas.<br></br> The Pacific Northwest has a great deal of breathtaking scenery to offer, and visiting some of the incredible towns along the way make for an unforgettable road trip. Here are some great Washington…</p>
<p>If packing up the RV and hitting the open road sounds as enjoyable to you as it does to the majority of the human population, we’ve got some great news. Cruise America has a rental RV that is just the right size for your family or traveling party! We’ve also got a lot of travel ideas.<br/>
The Pacific Northwest has a great deal of breathtaking scenery to offer, and visiting some of the incredible towns along the way make for an unforgettable road trip. Here are some great Washington adventures that we think you’ll enjoy. And how handy is it that we have multiple Cruise America rental locations in the state of Washington, where some of the country’s best road trips are taken? Whether your preference lies in scenic ocean views, jaw-dropping mountain ranges or quaint roadside stands offering an abundance of locally-grown seasonal fruit, you’ll find it all in the beautiful state of Washington.<br/>
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Panorama Land<br/>
If you love biting into a fresh peach, or unbelievably sweet strawberries, or ripe, delicious cherries, you should head to the east side of Washington! Start the drive in downtown Spokane, as you embark on a 200-mile road trip along I-395, Highway 2 and State Routes 20 and 25. They take you along the banks of the Columbia River and through the fertile hillsides that are speckled with fruit trees, along with the fresh produce stands that sell the bounties. They offer the best, freshest, tastiest fruit that Washington has to offer, and that’s a lot!<br/>
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Friday Harbor<br/>
How about a weekend getaway in what seems like an island retreat … without ever leaving the state? The San Juan Islands are just a ferry ride from Seattle. They offer the feel of an exotic vacation without having to fly anywhere. Friday Harbor offers activities for the entire family, including kayaking, whale watching, hiking, bicycling, fishing, boating and more. It’s easy to get to Friday Harbor; just take the ferry from Anacortes. You can even bring your RV along, but you will need to secure a reservation with the Washington Department of Transportation to reserve your spot. Larger vehicles may be charged an extra fee.<br/>
Along with a great number of things to do, there is also a great number of things to see. There are scores of quaint shops, galleries and eateries, along with open-air markets to explore. The San Juan Islands are full of history, which can be enjoyed at American Camp, where you can learn about the Pig War. Before the Civil War took place, George Pickett was the commander of Camp Pickett (which is at American Camp). You can also visit the San Juan County Historical Museum in Friday Harbor. This museum is located on the James King farmstead. It’s an eight-building complex comprised of the original farmhouse, a carriage house, a stone root cellar, a milk house and San Juan County’s very first jailhouse.<br/>
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The Olympic Peninsula<br/>
This road trip made Forbes’ “Top Ten American Road Trips.” The beautiful drive is a 330-mile loop, which encompasses several of Washington’s most iconic landscapes. Among the beautiful scenery, you’ll find Olympic Mountain peaks, waterfalls and even rainforests. <br/>
The trip begins on Highway 101. You can marvel at the snowcapped mountains at Hurricane Ridge, enjoy house-looking as you pass by the gorgeous Victorian homes in Port Townsend, drop by singing artist Kurt Cobain’s memorial in Aberdeen, and take in the lush foliage of the Hoh Rainforest. If you happen to have your passports, don’t forget that from Port Angeles, you’re just a ferry ride away from Victoria, British Columbia!<br/>
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Leavenworth<br/>
This town must be seen to be believed! Leavenworth is a charming Bavarian-style village just a couple of hours from Seattle, near Wenatchee. It looks like something off of a European postcard. Whether you visit in the summer, the fall, the winter or spring, this town is always a feast for your exploring eyes … and stomach! There are a myriad of restaurants serving the best Bavarian and German food in the country. Bratwurst, anyone? If you are a shopper at heart, this is the place to let your “inner-shopper” come through. There are variety shops of all kinds, each offering unique Bavarian merchandise. If you happen to be there on one of the first three weekends in October, you can take part in the amazing Oktoberfest that occurs each year. As far as Christmas goes; well, Leavenworth was named the “Ultimate Holiday Town USA” by the A&amp;E Network. You can park the RV, as Leavenworth is a walking town, so be sure to slip on your walking shoes. In addition to eating and shopping, Leavenworth offers up hiking and biking trails, incredible fishing and, just in case you get tired of being on your feet, horse-drawn carriage rides.<br/>
Chinook Pass<br/>
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Some of the best scenery you will find in the Pacific Northwest is along the Chinook Scenic Byway. One trip along this stretch of road and you’ll realize why it’s been hailed as “the premier driving tour of Washington state.” This route takes you through the beauty of Mount Rainier National Park and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and once you are over the Chinook Pass, you’ll end up in the gorgeous valley of Naches, with its beauty and its abundance of outdoor activities. <br/>
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If you’ve decided that driving some of Washington’s most scenic roads is something you’d enjoy, then be sure to enjoy it in a Cruise America rental RV. Each of our class C motorhomes provide the most comfortable and convenient way to travel that exists; hands down.</p>RVing in South Dakotatag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-08-15:2150408:BlogPost:959982016-08-15T18:45:09.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>Cruise America has locations all over the United States (and Canada). That’s because no matter which area of the country you may be visiting, there are things to see and do, and RVs are the best way to catch all the attractions.</p>
<p>If you’re not familiar with South Dakota, you may be missing a diamond in the rough. A simple drive through the state’s wide-open spaces, gently rolling grasslands, magnificent hand-carved rock formations and the crystal-clear night sky make you realize just…</p>
<p>Cruise America has locations all over the United States (and Canada). That’s because no matter which area of the country you may be visiting, there are things to see and do, and RVs are the best way to catch all the attractions.</p>
<p>If you’re not familiar with South Dakota, you may be missing a diamond in the rough. A simple drive through the state’s wide-open spaces, gently rolling grasslands, magnificent hand-carved rock formations and the crystal-clear night sky make you realize just what a gem this Midwestern state really is.</p>
<p>Pack up your Cruise America rental RV and prepare for a road trip that is sure to create lasting memories for the entire family. Not only will you want to visit the “Great 8” attractions of the state, but be sure to include some of the quirky side attractions as well. And if you're not insistent on dining in your motorhome for every meal, you won’t want to miss the small, quaint diners serving fresh farm-to-table fare!</p>
<p>Here are a few of the “Must Sees” as you RV your way through the Mount Rushmore State. And speaking of Mount Rushmore …</p>
<p>Mount Rushmore National Memorial</p>
<p>This is one of those “bucket list icons” of our nation’s Americana. You can look at pictures of it all day, but they do this enormous stone creation no justice … it’s best seen in person! These likenesses of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln have been vigilantly staring from the side of the mount for 75 years. The stone carvings of our past presidents rise 60 feet over the Black Hills National Forest. Interestingly, the sculptures were never really completed, as the original plan called for the busts to include the entire upper torso of each president. However, the project ended in 1941 due to lack of funding.</p>
<p>Crazy Horse Memorial</p>
<p>This project is still underway, and lies just 17 miles southwest of Mount Rushmore. This makes it convenient to visit both locations in the same day.</p>
<p>The Crazy Horse project is a tribute to the Lakota Sioux war leader, who died in 1877. The work began in 1948, and will eventually, upon completion, be the world’s largest mountain carving. Visitors can actually view this work-in-progress on guided tours. From Memorial Day through September you can visit with Native American artists, listen to lectures and visit museums dedicated to the history of the Native American heritage. There is also a Laser Light Show each night, and if you’re lucky, you will be there for one of the two annual “Night Blasts” featuring incredible fireballs and specially designed pyrotechnical wonders that light up the mountain in spectacular fashion.</p>
<p>Badlands National Park</p>
<p>This 244,000-acre park is a striking and breathtaking area that compliments the South Dakota landscape. As you explore the maze of buttes, canyons, spires and pinnacles, you are sure to see many fossilized remains, including those of three-toed horses and saber-toothed cats. You can pilot your RV along the unforgettable 30-mile Scenic Byway through the park, but be prepared to make several photo-op stops! Oh, and watch for wildlife, as it exists there in abundance!<br/> While there, don’t miss the chance to gaze at the star-filled night sky, which reveals heavenly features that are sure to take your breath away and make you ponder about our existence here on earth.</p>
<p>Jewel Cave National Monument</p>
<p>About 45 minutes from Mount Rushmore is a wonderland of brilliant underground colors. The Jewel Cave offers up a show of yellow, red and pink hues that bounce off the calcite crystals when the manmade light hits the walls of what is the world’s third-longest cave. This underground wilderness is creased by prehistoric veins that are adorned with fragile crystals that erupt into brilliant colors for your viewing pleasure. Guided tours are available, so don’t miss this opportunity to don your headlamp and delve into an underground kingdom wrapped in several layers of midnight.</p>
<p>Sturgis Motorcycle Rally</p>
<p>If you are into biking along with your RVing, then you probably already know that South Dakota is home to the world-renowned Sturgis Motorcycle Rally held each year in August. The entire town of Sturgis, located about 30 minutes north of Rapid City, is taken over by thousands of motorcyclists and their bikes. The otherwise quiet town comes to life with this weeklong celebration that features motorcycle shows, celebrity-led bike rides, pub crawls and concerts. If ever you have wanted to see what appears to be an infinite number of motorcycles and riders, this is the place for you!</p>
<p>South Dakota offers a large number of great RV parks, so you can stay practically anywhere you desire. Truth be told, you don’t even need an RV park, as each of our Cruise America class C motorhomes are completely self-sustainable!</p>Common Sins of RV Barbequingtag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-08-15:2150408:BlogPost:959962016-08-15T18:32:51.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>We love to get photographs of vacationers enjoying their Cruise America motorhomes. A large number of these pictures seem to involve outdoor mealtime fun, and they almost always feature two things: A Cruise America RV and a barbeque grill!</p>
<p>Camping and barbequing have always gone hand in hand, and so we figured you may enjoy some barbequing tips. Actually, these are not so much “tips,” as they are suggestions on how to avoid the most common cookout sins that novice campsite chefs…</p>
<p>We love to get photographs of vacationers enjoying their Cruise America motorhomes. A large number of these pictures seem to involve outdoor mealtime fun, and they almost always feature two things: A Cruise America RV and a barbeque grill!</p>
<p>Camping and barbequing have always gone hand in hand, and so we figured you may enjoy some barbequing tips. Actually, these are not so much “tips,” as they are suggestions on how to avoid the most common cookout sins that novice campsite chefs commit on a regular basis.</p>
<p>The art of barbequing is so much more than throwing some steaks on a hot grill; in order to reap the flavorful rewards of campfire culinary success, you must follow a few tried and proven techniques (although, any meat cooked over a grill is sure to taste delightful). Take a look and see if you have been committing any of the most common barbeque transgressions:</p>
<p>Sin #1 – Using Lighter Fluid or Match Light Briquettes</p>
<p>The Issue – Many are the beginner grill masters who believe that if you douse your charcoal briquettes thoroughly in lighter fluid, they’ll be ready quicker. It makes sense, right? If you’ve ever held a match under a regular briquette without any kind of starter, you know how long it takes to ignite.</p>
<p>But the truth of the matter is that once the lighter fluid burns off and the huge flames subside, the fire can begin go out. Of course, what the griller tends to do is put more lighter fluid on, causing what could be considered a mushroom cloud of flame! Not only does it get the fire going again, it’s just plain fun to do!</p>
<p>So eventually you get the meat cooked, and take a big bite of what can only be described as lighter-fluid-flavored meat, and it’s not very appealing.</p>
<p>The Solution – The Chimney Starter. This device looks like a metal pitcher with a handle, but it makes it simple to get your charcoal started without the nasty taste that comes along with lighter fluid. With a chimney starter, you simply place a wad of newspaper or other flammable paper underneath it, and pack the charcoal briquettes on top of it. Now light it up and let it do its thing. As the oxygen is drawn up through the coals, they light right up, and soon will be ready for grilling … without the added fuel flavors!</p>
<p>Sin #2 – Spreading the Coals Before They Are Completely Gray</p>
<p>The Issue – We know, we know, you’re hungry and you want to eat 10 minutes ago! When you see the charcoal looking like all of the briquettes are lit, you may think that you have the “go-ahead” to start cooking. But not so fast, grill warrior! That can cause uneven temperatures, not to mention strange flavors and inconsistent and unpredictable cooking times.</p>
<p>The Solution – You must have patience. When it comes to grilling your dinner, temperature control is one of the most important factors to consider. Even though it feels hot when you hold your hand over the grill, if you can see black on the coals, they will not be hot enough for proper grilling. That’s why it says on the charcoal bag to wait until all the charcoal is covered in a gray ash! Once the coals are stabilized, you will eliminate the surprises that come with uneven cooking.</p>
<p>Sin #3 – Not Preheating the Grill</p>
<p>The Issue – You place your hand over the coals and they seem scorching hot, so you throw the meat on.</p>
<p>While it’s true that the fire is producing a good amount of radiant heat, it’s not the heat that you are going to cook with; it’s the infrared heat that you feel on your hand. If you were to place your hand on the grill (and don’t!) you may find that the grill itself isn’t very hot yet. This is a good indicator that your food won’t get much conductive heat (that’s the heat that’s transferred to the meat by the grill). If this is the case, you will find that your meat sticks to the grill, and tears off when you try to turn it.</p>
<p>The Solution – Once the fire it lit, you should cover the grill by lowering the top and allowing it to preheat for at least five to ten minutes. If the grill is truly hot when the meat is placed on it, you will make a masterpiece that has dark, attractive grill marks, and in most cases, can be easily turned and removed. This is because the shape of the proteins is altered before the meat even touches the metal grill.</p>
<p>Sin #4 – Not Cleaning the Grill</p>
<p>The Issue – You’re tired of standing there, waiting for the coals and the grill to get hot enough to cook. Nobody wants to lengthen the wait time any longer than necessary by taking the time to clean the grill, too. Sure, it’s still dirty from the last time you barbequed, but the heat will kill any germs, and nobody will ever notice the carbonized bits of last night’s burgers stuck to tonight’s pork chops. And who cares if tomorrow night’s corn on the cob sticks to the leftover pork chop shreds?</p>
<p>The Solution – It’s so simple … just clean the grill! You don’t have to clean it right after barbequing; just wait until the next time, when your grill is preheated, then use a grill brush and a very small amount of elbow grease to make it shine! If the grill is hot enough to cook on, the old debris left over from the last cookout will come right off. Your steaks will thank you, your guests will be appreciative, and you can pat yourself on the back for taking care of the small details.</p>
<p>Note: If you are at an RV park, and you will not be using the grill again, then please leave it clean for the next guest that will be using it. They don’t want to see your leftover charred shreds.</p>
<p>Sin #5 – Cooking Over Too Much Direct Heat</p>
<p>The Issue – You like the looks of a roaring fire, and you love the sizzling sound of the meat as it hits the grill. However, you find that your steaks are becoming quickly dark, even charred, on the outside, yet the inside hasn’t had enough time to cook. You desperately look for somewhere to place the steaks to get them off the direct, fiery heat, but your coals are evenly spread over the entire bottom of the barbeque. Your meat ends up crispy on the outside, raw on the inside; not a grilling success story!</p>
<p>The Solution – When you build your fire, make two different zones: One area with hot coals, and one area with no coals at all (or a thin layer of them). If you are using a gas grill, then only ignite half of the burners, leaving the other burners off for a zone with no direct rising heat. This gives you options, and provides better control over the temperature with which you are cooking. The fire zone is great for searing meats and veggies, and the cooler side is better for keeping things cooking without searing them any further. It provides somewhat of a roasting effect.</p>
<p>Sin #6 – Lifting the Lid Too Much</p>
<p>The Issue – We self-proclaimed chefs are way too curious. We tend to continually lift the lid to see how our project is coming along. We simply cannot fight the urge to keep looking to see if the meat is done yet.</p>
<p>The problem with too much “lid lifting” on a gas grill is that each time you do it, it releases the heat that has built up inside the cooking area. The opposite holds true when you cook over the coals. When you lift the lid, it allows oxygen to rush to the coals and cause them to become too hot.</p>
<p>The Solution – It just takes a little patience and trust. You can flip the meat over as much as you desire, but every time you do, you’re either letting the heat out, or messing up the consistency of your coals’ temperature.</p>
<p>This blog has covered half of the 12 most common mistakes that barbequers make. We will go over the next half next month. Until then, keep cooking like a happy camper, and remember to reserve your Cruise America RV for this fall if you haven’t already!</p>Spend Money on Experiences Over Thingstag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-07-13:2150408:BlogPost:955922016-07-13T18:39:34.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>One of the best healers that we know of is happiness. It plays a crucial role in our health, as well as our state of mind. People go to great lengths to find happiness, thinking that the greater our riches become, the happier we will be. It’s true that having money certainly helps take care of the necessities in life, but once your basic needs are met, money doesn’t make you much happier.</p>
<p>One question that looms over consumers of today is just how to allocate the money that they do…</p>
<p>One of the best healers that we know of is happiness. It plays a crucial role in our health, as well as our state of mind. People go to great lengths to find happiness, thinking that the greater our riches become, the happier we will be. It’s true that having money certainly helps take care of the necessities in life, but once your basic needs are met, money doesn’t make you much happier.</p>
<p>One question that looms over consumers of today is just how to allocate the money that they do have. Should they invest it, or should they spend it on something that could be considered frivolous?</p>
<p>It makes logical sense to assume that if one spends money on a physical object, it will last longer, as will the happiness it brings. People tend to feel that an investment into a physical item holds more of a lasting value than a vacation, or a concert, or something that is a one-time experience. There are many that feel that if they can’t show a physical object that was acquired with money, then it must have gone to waste. That, however, is misguided thinking. According to recent research, it is completely wrong.</p>
<p>According to Dr. Thomas Gilovich, a psychology professor at Cornell University who has spent the last two decades studying the subject of money and happiness, “One of the enemies of happiness is adaptation. We buy things to make us happy, and we succeed, but only for a while. New things are exciting to us at first, but then we adapt to them.”</p>
<p>So instead of combing over online retail sites for the latest and greatest gadgets, experts suggest that you will gain greater happiness by spending your money on experiences like vacations, participating in outdoor activities, traveling in general. In other words, the shiny paint on a new car will eventually fade, but going on a vacation affords the traveler experiences that they will keep in their hearts for a lifetime. The value of the physical item goes down, while the value of the memories created by experiences only goes up, becoming an ingrained part of our identity.</p>
<p>Cruise America has a great idea! What better experience could one have than traveling on the open road with their family and loved ones? And what way could possibly be more comfortable than traveling in one of our class C rental RVs? And what makes this idea even greater, is that you don’t need much money to make it happen! Traveling in an RV is much more economical than traveling in the traditional way, having to spend money on airlines, hotels and restaurants.</p>
<p>“Our experiences are a bigger part of ourselves than our material goods,” says Gilovich. “You can really like your material stuff. You can even think that part of your identity is connected to those things, but nonetheless, they remain separate from you. In contrast, your experiences really are part of you. We are the sum total of our experiences.”</p>
<p>At Cruise America, we provide the means for people from all over the world to create wonderful memories with their family and loved ones. We make it possible for travelers to rent our top-of-the-line class C RVs any time of the year, in most any region of the United States and Canada.</p>
<p>When you are on a vacation, you can’t help but create memories, whether on your way to your destination, or once you have arrived. As a matter of fact, at Cruise America, we like to think that the journey is the reward. And next time you wonder if it’s worth it to take a vacation, just think about the happiness that fond memories can bring, and your question will be answered.</p>Summer in Coeur d’Alenetag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-07-13:2150408:BlogPost:958082016-07-13T18:35:48.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>Near the western border of Idaho, just a hop, skip and a jump from the state of Washington, is Coeur d’Alene (known as “CDA” by the locals). This little town is truly a gemstone for all those who visit.</p>
<p>CDA was given its name by French fur traders referring to the Coeur d’Alene Indian tribe members. The term literally means “the heart of an awl (a very sharp tool).” The name reflects the French traders’ experience with the tribe’s traders as tough businessmen, “sharp-hearted” or…</p>
<p>Near the western border of Idaho, just a hop, skip and a jump from the state of Washington, is Coeur d’Alene (known as “CDA” by the locals). This little town is truly a gemstone for all those who visit.</p>
<p>CDA was given its name by French fur traders referring to the Coeur d’Alene Indian tribe members. The term literally means “the heart of an awl (a very sharp tool).” The name reflects the French traders’ experience with the tribe’s traders as tough businessmen, “sharp-hearted” or “shrewd.”</p>
<p>Visitors to CDA are in for a great time. There is a host of shops, museums, galleries, parks, a very active nightlife and more. In addition, one of the prettiest lakes in the nation is in CDA. Along with the lake comes several options for recreational activities, including swimming, boating, parasailing, seaplane rides, waterskiing, cruises, and much more. There’s even a very popular beach, set alongside a beautiful park that makes for the perfect sun-filled day.</p>
<p>CDA offers an amazing variety of shopping options. The Downtown and Midtown areas are filled with quaint shops and boutiques for handmade items, antiques and locally-made souvenirs. You will find everything from Christmas decor to old fashioned candy, and whatever else may lie in-between.</p>
<p>After a long day of exploring all of the fantastic shops and boutiques, you’ll no doubt be ready for some tasty food to re-energize. There is a huge range of dining options, from fine dining to amazing coffee shops. No matter what type of shopping and dining experience visitors are looking for, Coeur d'Alene has something for everyone. Oh, and should you be looking for an amazing, filling breakfast, it may behoove you to stop in to Jimmy’s Down the Street for their world-famous biscuits and gravy, chicken-fried steak, breakfast scrambles and southern pecan rolls. They are open from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and while they serve lunch, too, breakfast is served all day!</p>
<p>Barbara Walters, of media fame, once called the city of CDA “a little slice of heaven” and included it in her list of most fascinating places to visit. In addition, Good Morning America broadcast the 2007 CDA Christmas lighting ceremony, which is one of the largest in the nation.</p>
<p>Summer is the time of year when the little town boasts its weekly farmer’s market, where artisans, farmers, chefs and craftspeople show off their goods, offering them to the public for purchase. There is always an abundance of Huckleberries, along with the many products made from this tasty treat that is native to the northwestern United States and Canada.<br/> The kids in your group are sure to enjoy the lakes and outdoors surrounding the city, but they would absolutely LOVE the nearby Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water Park. During the summer, the theme park is a great place to cool down while enjoying all of the fun water slides and rides. It’s just minutes away from CDA on Highway 95 in scenic Northern Idaho.</p>
<p>In addition, Silver Mountain is a fun getaway for the entire family. It offers some great mountain biking, and there is even a gondola that takes riders (and their bikes) to the top of the mountain. During the winter it’s a ski resort, and during the summer, it’s a barrel of fun!</p>
<p>The North Idaho Centennial Trail is an excellent route to enjoy some hiking and biking along the river. This trail connects the Spokane and CDA communities, and spans a total of 60 miles. Other notable trails include the Route of Hiawatha and the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. This Trail of the CDA is a bike path that follows the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way from Mullan to Plummer, a total of 71 paved miles.</p>
<p>The wine coinsures in the group can explore the local wineries of the area, complete with wine tasting and guided tours. For instance, you may want to visit the Coeur d’Alene Cellars, which showcases its premium wine selections. They host live music weekly (usually on Saturdays) on their outdoor patio and built-in stage. You can find cuisine tastings, gift ideas, gourmet baskets, as well as wine-to-go and delicious culinary fare. The Inland Northwest Wineries of Spokane are host to a wine festival in November. The spring barrel tasting is in May. The majority of the wineries and tastings are located just off I-90 between CDA and Highway 2 in Spokane, so they are all very close to one another.</p>
<p>The state of Idaho is best known for its beautiful scenery, the expansive outdoors and the recreational activities that come along with such a setting. There are a great number of RV parks in the area, so you can set up camp in your Cruise America rental RV.</p>
<p>No matter the size of your group, or the reason for your visit, you will love Coeur d’Alene!</p>RVing Yellowstonetag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-06-14:2150408:BlogPost:949862016-06-14T18:14:27.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>Yellowstone National Park is an immensely popular destination for RVers. It’s a 3,500-square-mile recreation area that is situated on top of a volcanic hot spot. The park spreads across Wyoming, but into parts of Montana and Idaho as well, so naturally, a motorhome is the perfect way to see the jaw-dropping views. There are gorgeous canyons, alpine rivers, dense forests, hot springs and gushing geysers, including the world-famous “Old Faithful.” There are also large numbers of wildlife…</p>
<p>Yellowstone National Park is an immensely popular destination for RVers. It’s a 3,500-square-mile recreation area that is situated on top of a volcanic hot spot. The park spreads across Wyoming, but into parts of Montana and Idaho as well, so naturally, a motorhome is the perfect way to see the jaw-dropping views. There are gorgeous canyons, alpine rivers, dense forests, hot springs and gushing geysers, including the world-famous “Old Faithful.” There are also large numbers of wildlife species, including wolves, bear, elk, bison and antelope. No doubt, one of the reasons that Yellowstone is so popular is because it is unlike any other spot in this nation of ours, and the beauty is best captured from the seat of your Cruise America rental RV.</p>
<p>Here is a combination of tips offered by frequent visitors to the park. After all, you may as well take advantage of the experiences of others … it may save you some grief in the long run!</p>
<p>This is what they have to say:</p>
<p>Best time to visit:</p>
<p>The timing of your visit will determine how crowded the park will be. It’s best to try to go either before or after the summer onslaught (July and August being the busiest), but if that isn’t possible, don’t miss it … go anyway! As spectacular as it is, you don’t want to miss out on this trip, no matter what your schedule is. However, be sure to do some advanced planning, making sure you have a reserved spot in one of the many camping areas or RV parks where you want to set up your motorhome. Or, if you choose, you can always camp boondock style, as each of our motorhomes is completely self-sufficient.</p>
<p>Should you happen to visit the park during the busy season, remember that even though there are a lot of other visitors there, you can still take advantage of all the park has to offer. In other words, “the more, the merrier!” So if you are waiting in a line of cars, for instance, you may look at it as valuable “wildlife watching time” rather than an inconvenience, and you may see spectacular creatures emerge from the woods as you are waiting that you may not have seen had you not been where you were. Also, keep in mind that the earlier you arrive at the park, the less traffic there will be, and more parking will be available. The main attractions and roadways start to get much busier mid-morning, so the earlier, the better.</p>
<p>Don’t rush:</p>
<p>The last thing you want to do while visiting Yellowstone National Park is to try to hurry, thinking you must see it all in one day. Relax, because you can’t! Plan on staying a little longer than a day. You’ll probably need about four days to see the majority of what there is to see, although one could easily spend months amidst the wonder and beauty.</p>
<p>Be sure to take the time to do some research, and make an itinerary that matches the time you will be spending in the park. Try to get to most of the main features, and be sure to leave time for just relaxing, as it is very easy to do there.</p>
<p>Rise and shine early:</p>
<p>The best time of the day to see the abundant wildlife is early in the morning and at dusk. The other sights will be there all day, so try to get your wildlife viewing in early. Oh, and don’t be too shy to ask park rangers and workers where the best wildlife spotting is during that particular time. They know where all of the recent sightings have been, and can save you a lot of time guessing where you might see some.</p>
<p>Bring the right supplies:</p>
<p>You have probably packed your RV efficiently, including all you may need on a camping/exploration adventure. However, there are a few items you may not think about when planning your Yellowstone adventure. Here are a few inclusions that are particularly helpful for your trip:</p>
<p>•Binoculars or a spotting scope – these come in handy when spotting wildlife or watching birds. If you can get a pair for each member in your party, it makes it much more fun. Also, it never hurts to bring along a constellation chart, or load one up on your smart phone, so that you and the kids can stargaze in the crystal clear skies of the park once the sun has gone down.</p>
<p>•Hat and sunscreen – It’s amazing how quickly one can burn when carried away by all there is to see in this amazing park. Be sure to protect your face with some type of hat, and keep the sunscreen applied throughout the day to save your skin!</p>
<p>•The right clothes – Bring appropriate clothing for the time of year. Just make sure they are comfortable. Also bring good shoes for hiking, as you will probably be doing a great deal of walking and exploring.</p>
<p>•Don’t forget the meds – There are dry, dusty parts of the park, so if any of your family is in need of allergy medication, be sure to bring it along. Needless to say, be sure to bring any medication that you may currently be taking, so as to avoid having to find a pharmacy nearby.</p>
<p>Come prepared for the weather: The one thing that’s consistent about the weather in Yellowstone is that it’s NOT consistent. Depending on where you’re at in the park, there can be a difference of 60 degrees from high to low on any given day. There may be snow flurries at Old Faithful in August, while in the lower areas near the north entrance it could be in the 90s. It’s a good bet to always bring more clothes than you expect you may need. By wearing layers, you can peel them off as you get warm, or put them on as it cools down. Oh, and don’t forget the raincoat, especially in the summertime!</p>
<p>Embrace the science:</p>
<p>Yellowstone may be a beautiful place, but to those who aren’t expecting it, the smell of the sulfurous steam rising from the ground in many areas can be pretty potent; especially to kids, who don’t typically understand why it smells like that. It makes it more tolerable to them if they understand that what they are smelling is perfectly natural, and that it rises up from under the earth. That said, it never hurts to carry a few bandanas for those who would prefer to wear them.</p>
<p>These are few of the things you can prepare for. What you can never prepare yourself for is the beauty and magnificence of this amazing part of the nation. Not only is the wildlife and lush scenery a prize to behold, the nature-in-action is awe inspiring. And there is no better way to meander the roads of this park than in a Cruise America rental motorhome.</p>Avoid the TSA Hassle by RVingtag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-06-02:2150408:BlogPost:948712016-06-02T19:30:00.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>Taking a traditional family vacation is so relaxing. It’s a simple matter of figuring out how to pay for six airline tickets, and buying them in advance to avoid the last minute expense.</p>
<p>Packing is a breeze, if you are a proficient mathematician that can figure out the density factors for fitting everything you will need for ten days of travel into one (or two, if you don’t mind paying the extra fees) relatively small suitcase.</p>
<p>At Cruise America, we are grateful for the…</p>
<p>Taking a traditional family vacation is so relaxing. It’s a simple matter of figuring out how to pay for six airline tickets, and buying them in advance to avoid the last minute expense.</p>
<p>Packing is a breeze, if you are a proficient mathematician that can figure out the density factors for fitting everything you will need for ten days of travel into one (or two, if you don’t mind paying the extra fees) relatively small suitcase.</p>
<p>At Cruise America, we are grateful for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for their concern for the safety for all of the flyers out there. However, given that, and given today’s security concerns, the lines have gotten very long—two hours or more in some airports. So give yourself, at the very least, two hours to get up to the scanners. Once there, you simply have to:</p>
<p>• Remove any jackets or coats from your kids and yourself and place them into a couple of bins.<br/> • Next, off with the belts.<br/>
• Now remove all of the shoes off all of all the feet that are in your traveling party, and place them into a separate bin.<br/>
• Remove your computer from your suitcase and place it into a separate bin.<br/>
• Go through all of the carryon suitcases and remove anything that may present themselves as “questionable,” including liquids and anything that looks like it could be a dangerous item. This list includes aerosols, blasting caps, chlorine, dynamite, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices, any compressed gas cylinders, fireworks, flammable liquid, gel or aerosol paint, flammable paints, fuels, gas torches, torch lighters, gel-type candles, lighter fluid, lighters, liquid gel, hand grenades, liquid bleach, replicas of explosives, recreational oxygen, matches, spillable batteries, spray paint, tear gas, turpentine, paint thinner and vehicle airbags. Just because you may not carry many of these items on the plane, TSA still must search for them.<br/>
• Now you must make sure that you and all the kids are free of any objects whatsoever in your shirts or pants pockets. These are things like wallets, glasses, coins, makeup, pills, toys, gum, mints, keys or folded up paper.</p>
<p>Now it’s time to walk through the scanner. If there is one thing that is detected on you or your kids, you will then be hand patted down to assure you don’t have any of the heretofore mentioned items on your person. Oh, and if there is anything questionable in your suitcase, plan on a wait while TSA officers go through your carryon and examine everything until they find out what was questionable. Oh, and just before they do, they will swab your hands and suitcase with a drug-collecting wipe and place it into a machine for evaluation.</p>
<p>Once you finally get to the gate (assuming you make it), it’s time to sit and wait for the plane to arrive. Hopefully you won’t experience a delay, but then again, there are no guarantees. Delays affect the airline industry on a daily basis, but hopefully your flight won’t be significantly delayed, or cancelled altogether due to weather, mechanical issues, unruly passengers or mishaps of any kind.</p>
<p>When you finally make it onto the plane, you will need to get several bags up into the overhead compartments for transport. Because you are traveling with multiple passengers, you may have several bags to contend with … all while the other passengers behind you are waiting for you to take your seat—no pressure!</p>
<p>After the flight, it’s time to play the “let’s wait for our suitcases to slide down to the baggage carousel, and grab it if we can get past the crowd in time, if we can decipher which black suitcases are ours” game!</p>
<p>From the airport, you must figure out where the car rental place is located and catch a shuttle. This is to get an automobile to carry you, your significant other, your kids and everybody’s carryon, as well as checked luggage around with you. This car will be used to take you around town and maybe out of town, looking for a hotel that has two rooms to accommodate your group. If you can find a nice one, great. If not, you are in for a very long night!</p>
<p>Not that this all doesn’t sound like a complete blast, but there is another way of travel that people are finding much more enjoyable. It’s as easy as reserving your Cruise America rental RV, and there is a size just right for your family. Here are the steps you must take once it is rented:</p>
<p>• Go to the Cruise America rental center in your area<br/> • Listen to the instructional orientation we offer<br/>
• Load up anything and everything you want to take along<br/>
• Hit the road and let your desires be your guide<br/>
• Let your kids stretch out and play video or travel games while in route</p>
<p>True, you’ll have to miss the early check-ins, the compressed luggage and the long security lines, the possible postponements or cancellations, and the kids being bored to death.</p>
<p>What you will experience is the stress-free relaxation that comes with being in command of your schedule, doing what you want, when you want and enjoying the gorgeous views out the window as you travel in supreme comfort.</p>
<p>At Cruise America, the journey is the reward!</p>A Beautiful Shortcuttag:blog.cruiseamerica.com,2016-05-09:2150408:BlogPost:941272016-05-09T21:00:00.000ZCruise Americahttp://blog.cruiseamerica.com/profile/CruiseAmerica
<p>State Route 128 is one of Utah’s prettiest state highways. It has been designated as the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway, and is part of the Utah Scenic Byways program. Locals, however, call this stretch of road “the River Road.” It connects the I-70 to the US 191, just to the north of Moab, Utah, and follows the banks of the Colorado River through a spectacular gorge, with high, sheer sandstone walls that provide a beautiful setting as you travel in your Cruise America rental RV. This…</p>
<p>State Route 128 is one of Utah’s prettiest state highways. It has been designated as the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway, and is part of the Utah Scenic Byways program. Locals, however, call this stretch of road “the River Road.” It connects the I-70 to the US 191, just to the north of Moab, Utah, and follows the banks of the Colorado River through a spectacular gorge, with high, sheer sandstone walls that provide a beautiful setting as you travel in your Cruise America rental RV. This route exits the interstate at the ghost town named Cisco, and makes its way south towards Moab.</p>
<p>This area is known throughout the world as one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S. Keep in mind that, while scenic, you must be aware and alert, as there are parts of the highway that are narrow, with blind corners and no shoulders. If you were in a large, class A RV, this might be problematic, but fortunately, your class C RV will not present any challenges.</p>
<p>Many travelers miss the opportunity to travel on this road, as they take the modernized US-191, but if you’re traveling westbound on I-70, you save 45 miles in distance by taking SR 128, and you add a huge degree of scenic value to the journey. Those who choose to take it as a shortcut usually end up making it a regular routine when they make the trip.</p>
<p>Many describe this route as heavenly, as they watch the Colorado River appear, drawing closer and closer to the road. The river and the road meet up at the historic Dewey Bridge, built in 1916. It was the state’s longest suspension bridge until April of 2008, when it was destroyed by a brush fire that was started by a small child playing with matches. The bridge has been rebuilt, but is no longer used for a vehicle crossing. Once you cross the new bridge, you will see the splendor of the river at your side, and the scenic red rock cliffs begin to close in. The open plains disappear as they transform into a valley.</p>
<p>As you continue on towards Moab, you will remain mesmerized as you marvel at the sites. Because you’re in an RV, you won’t have to worry too much about potty breaks, but you should know that the first bathroom opportunity is in Hittle Bottom. This is where so many white water rafting trips begin. As a point of interest, you will find a grave there, marking the burial spot of a pioneer woman who was killed when she fell into the river in the 1800s, and died of pneumonia as a result. There is a campground there bearing the same name, which will accommodate your Cruise America RV should you decide to stay the night.</p>
<p>Once you get to the Fisher Towers area, you’ll find a Castle Valley and Professor Valley side road that leads explorers to Castle Rock, and on to the La Sal Mountains Scenic Loop. Here you will find numerous hiking and mountain bike trails, as well as beautiful campsites set amongst the Whispering pines, quaking aspens and picturesque babbling brooks. There are several lakes and streams throughout the La Sals, from which you can fish for trout. This area has been used in a number of western films, so if it looks familiar, you know why!</p>
<p>Along the route you will be treated to a view of several of the natural features that make up the Arches National Park, although from this route there isn’t an entrance into the park. There are some popular attractions along the highway, including Negro Bill Canyon, complete with trails for hiking, campgrounds and boat docks, which are found in an area known as Big Bend, where the river curves.</p>
<p>Note: The campground at Negro Bill is called Granstaff (Negro Bill’s last name), and will only accommodate vehicles 24’ or less, so don’t plan on parking your standard or large size Cruise America RV there.</p>
<p>The last stretch of the road winds along a fairly narrow shelf with steep cliffs to the east and the river to the right of you. Eventually you will reach Spanish Valley and Moab, all the luckier to have been treated to such breathtaking beauty.</p>
<p>Like so many other popular destinations, this road trip will create memories that last a lifetime, and there’s no better way to make it happen than in the comfort of a Cruise America rental RV.</p>